Thesis questions/statements

1)    Why are health care costs rising?       

a.     Healthcare costs are rising due to increase in chronic illness because of increased lifespan, increase in obesity, increased charges by providers, and prescription drugs.

2)    In what way(s) do(es) the insurance industry impact the medical field financially?

a.     Insurance companies control markets because they have dominated local markets, which has resulted in limited choice and higher profits. In addition, insurance companies prefer (and often succeed) in covering only healthy consumers because offering covering sicker people puts them at a disadvantage financially.

3)    How does this control affect the way physicians practice?

a.     Physicians want to provide the most quality care, but they also do not want to be sued.  Thus, they often perform more tests than necessary in order to cover all bases.  Physicians have to battle with insurance companies about how much they will pay for certain procedures/appointments/medicine. 

4)    How does this control affect the way patients receive treatment?

a.     Patients are faced with putting themselves at extreme financial loss by doing what the physician recommends, or looking for a less expensive, less quality option.  If the patient cannot afford the costly prescription medication, and their health insurance, then they simply to not take their medication, and as a result their symptoms and disease are in a constant state of up and down. 

5)    How does the United States current healthcare system perpetuate the crisis?

a.     Because we are currently a private health care insurance system (aside from government funding public programs such as Medicare/Medicaid), only those who can afford to pay for private insurance or have a job that provides medical insurance are insured.  The patient can only feasibly be treated for what their insurance covers, which is often beyond patient control (it is based on what the insurance company decides and which insurance plan the patient can afford).  As a result of our system, insurers are granted control.