MEDICAL ADVANCES: The Cost of Care

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

from healthleaders magazine "fact file" march 2004:

we all complain about rising healthcare costs. what we often forget is that medical equipment was once primitive, drug choices were sporifice and many patients simply had to make the best of their conditions. these days, multimillion-dollar scanning equipment, sophisticated pharmaceuticals and laser-aided surgery are the norm. but here's the rub: these innovations cost money. lots of money. living longer and happier lives also means double-digit premium increases and skyrocketing drug prices. as baby boomers age, some predict disaster in the realm of costs. others, however, argue that technology has made it easier to detect diseases before they get out of control and ultimately saves treatment costs. whatever the case, data suggests that the cost of medical advances is one of the biggest challenges facing the healthcare industry in the coming decades.

full story: http://www.healthleaders.com/magazine/factfile53034.html