Why is there such a huge problem on lowering health costs?

Question

Every American in the nation is trying to improve or solve the country's ongoing problem to health cost. But to no avail, why?

Answer 1

First of all, no one is allowed to use the "S" word. If they do, they are out of the game. Everyone believes that Americans are not very healthy and the healthy should not have to pay for the care of the sick. I, personally, believe that heavy taxation of the causative factors of poor health would go a long way toward financing a comprehensive health care system. For instance, there should be a confiscatory tax on Big Tobacco for the amounts, and facilitators, of nicotine in tobacco. Reduce the amounts, and the tax fall off steeply, unrelated to the price of the product. Very few people would smoke tobacco so much anymore if it weren't the most addictive substance know to science.

Answer 2

First, I would respectfully disagree with that first statement: Every American is NOT doing their part. They run to the doctors for a note to be off work, to get unneeded antibiotics for a virus , medical excuse for a hangover. I've seen a parent who brought their child in with a scrape on the knee, which should have simply been washed with soap and water. But because they had "Free" care, they felt the ER should do it. Smokers, Alcoholics, Drug users / seekers. They are not helping us spend less on health care. As an insider, I see waste every day. I do what I can to limit it, but the system is too large and prime for abuse on both sides, to make a significant difference. If you think health care is expensive now, wait until the Democrats make it free!!

Answer 3

One of the primary reasons is government intervention. With the advent of Medicare and Medicare the cost of health care treatment immediately went up. After all it takes many bureaucrats with many salaries and much associated overhead to administer government sponsored health care support. Then the medical facilities must employ someone to sort out and process all those mandated government forms which adds to their costs.

Additionally, even private or group insurance adds significantly to the cost of health care. Insurance companies are in the business to make a profit. That means the premiums they receive exceed the money they pay to providers plus employee salaries and all the other associated overhead costs and they still have to make a profit..

Ironically, in my opinion, if there was absolutely no healthcare insurance of any kind the costs of healthcare would significantly decline. Of course there is no remedy that covers it all.

Answer 4

Greed

Answer 5

Because doctors demand so much money.