The Health Care Expenditures Are Increasing Rapidly With No Signs Of Slowing Down

In the U.S. health care expenditures are increasing rapidly with no signs of slowing down. According to Zerwekh (2015) “Currently, the united States is spending 18% of its income on health care” (p.358). There are many different intrinsic and extrinsic factors that have contributed to the uprising cost of health care including, characteristics of the population, employer-paid health insurance, demand for health care, prescription drug cost, availability of technology, and workforce costs (Zerwekh, 2015, p. 356). There are several demographic, social, and political trends that impact the economy of health care. According to Zerwekh (2015), “During the projection period of 2009 to 2019, the Baby Boomers (citizens born between 1946 and 1964) will become eligible for Medicare health insurance” (p. 357). With the increasing age of the population sickness, disabilities, and acute and chronic illnesses requiring hospitalization tends to rise. As the baby boomers start to retire from their jobs, Medicare enrollment will rise dramatically. The Medicare program will then have to find new and improved ways to provide high- quality patient care for the rising number of Medicare participants while maintaining the financial security of the program (Zerwekh, 2015, p. 357). Unhealthy behaviors and lifestyle choices are a few social trends that impact the economy of health care. Smoking, obesity, and alcohol abuse are all modifiable behaviors contributing the increase in health…