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Source: ONE News
Reform of the US healthcare system is vital this year because of
growing costs and worsening care, the Health and Human Services
Department said in a report.
The
HHS
report
compiles findings of dozens of studies that
have been used to justify calls for a complete overhaul of the
healthcare system.
While the need for change is not controversial, conservatives and
liberals differ on how that should be approached.
President Barack Obama has said he wants legislation this year
but is leaving the details up to Congress to work out.
"Today's report outlines the high cost of waiting to fix a system
that has left too many Americans without the affordable, quality
care they deserve," HHS spokeswoman Jenny Backus said in a
statement.
The report points out that the United States spent $3.9 trillion on
healthcare in 2007, or US$7,421 ($13,209) per capita.
Healthcare accounts for more than 16% of gross domestic product,
nearly twice the average of other developed nations.
Healthcare costs doubled from 1996 to 2006, and are projected to
rise to 25% of GDP in 2025; 49% by 2082 if something does not
change.
"Employer-sponsored health insurance premiums have more than
doubled in the last nine years," the report reads.
"As a result of these crushing health care costs, American
businesses are losing their ability to compete in the global
marketplace."
More than 160 million Americans get health insurance through
employers.
"Health care at General Motors puts the company at a US$5
billion disadvantage against Toyota, which spends US$1,400 less on
health care per vehicle," the report added - quoting former General
Motors Corp's chief executive officer Rick Wagoner.
"In spite of the vast resources invested, the health care system
has not yet reached the goal of high-quality care," the report
said.
"Across 37 performance indicators, the United States achieved an
overall score of 65 out of a possible 100," it said, citing the
non-profit Commonwealth Foundation.
The Obama administration has relied heavily on such reports in setting its healthcare strategy.
