High-tech medicine and rising health care costs

Article Abstract:

The rapid escalation in health care costs has been a cause for concern since the early 1970s in the United States. While seeking the causes of this phenomenon, analysts have recently implicated high-tech medicine (HTM) as the main offender. High-tech medicine is defined as the accumulation of all advances in medical knowledge and technology that have led to improved diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. HTM is characterized by a constant drive towards change and sophistication, and is increasingly associated with the American way of delivering health care. While many people claim that HTM is not what the public really wants or needs, the author contends that patients want both HTM and the low-tech care typified by the general practitioner who knows the family and will take the time to listen to the patient's concerns. In addition, HTM is not solely responsible for the unbridled rise in medical costs. The American people have consistently demanded more and better services and there are no low-tech alternatives to high-tech medicine. While many believe that HTM came to dominate health care in this country because innovation and technology are so highly valued by society, the real explanation may be the trend of generous federal financing of medical research in the past 30 years, with smaller medical institutions following the lead of the academic centers to obtain the latest technologies. It is very likely that HTM will continue to control the US medical system unless people call for rationing of costly high-tech procedures. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Analysis, Finance, Medical care, Cost of, Health care costs, Medical innovations, Medical technology, editorial

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A cautionary note on market reforms in health care

Article Abstract:

The free market may not offer the needed solutions to the health care dilemma. More dependence on the market may prove to be no more productive than dependence on the federal government. Although Pres. Clinton's health care reform plan was rejected by Congress, it does not mean that the public is satisfied with the current health care system or that the rise in health care expenditures has gone unnoticed. About one-half of expenditures for health care are paid by the government and the majority of acute care hospitals provide health care to people who cannot pay. The competitive market may not be able to provide health care for the 40 million uninsured Americans or encourage healthy lifestyles. Both the market and the government should work together to provide quality, affordable health care.

Social aspects, Health insurance

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The changing US health care agenda

Article Abstract:

The US may still enact some type of universal health care coverage despite the failure of the 1994 Clinton healthcare reform package. The number of uninsured Americans is projected to reach 60 million by the year 2002, up from 40 million in 1998. When the number of underinsured Americans is added to this, one in three Americans may be unable to pay for health care. This may cause Americans to reconsider their distaste for big government and some type of universal access may re-surface. However, it will likely provide only basic coverage and those who want more coverage would have to pay for it.

Forecasts and trends, Medical care

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