The Healthcare Cost Crisis

Is there a health care cost crisis? Many businesses believe this country is experiencing a healthcare cost crisis. 

In March 2007, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) provided a number of "talking points." The NAM believes that:

• Our healthcare cost crisis is one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers today.
• Aggressive action by both public and private sectors could help reduce this healthcare cost crisis.
• Healthcare cost is the biggest barrier to health coverage for all.
• Health information technology should be utilized to a greater degree.
• Wellness and prevention programs could maintain our health. Workers need to be conscious of and encouraged to participate in wellness and prevention programs.
• Common sense medical liability reform is needed to control healthcare costs.

Source: NAM

In 2003, the Wisconsin Economic Summit IV published a report (available in .PDF format) titled "The Healthcare Cost Crisis in Wisconsin: An Economic Development Prognosis." The report stated "...Wisconsin and the nation are in the midst of a healthcare cost crisis that, if ignored, will severely hamper our ability to care for our citizens, grow our economy, and improve the quality of healthcare." The report discusses the enormous complexity of the healthcare cost system and outlines steps that might be taken to begin to solve it.

The report goes on to explain that, with such enormous diversity of interest and fragmentation, solutions are bound to be controversial. Ten (10) important drivers of the healthcare cost crisis were presented in descending order. While it is beyond the scope of this website to even begin to discuss those 10 drivers, allow us to comment on one of them. 

Of the 10 drivers identified, #4 was Population Lifestyle. Even this singular driver has many elements to it. We have the aging boomer population which will severely tax the healthcare system's ability to deliver care in the short term. We have the breakdown between races, sex, and poverty status. And then we have the simple element of "lifestyle choices" which can cross all demographics. Simply stated: Poor lifestyle choices, such as smoking, drinking, lack of exercise, and overeating invariably often lead to poor health. Poor health, in turn, places a demand for services on our health care system. This often unavoidable demand is a key contributor to the healthcare cost crisis. 

How can one AVOID becoming a contributor to the health care cost crisis? Educate yourself. Become informed about healthy lifestyle choices and unhealthy lifestyle consequences. 

More: Are you wondering whether wellness programs work? See what other corporate wellness programs have accomplished!

Contact CHIP to learn more. "Be Healthy by Choice, Not by Chance!"