Bad economic times, and not health care reform, account for the record slowdown in U.S. health care spending, according to a new Kaiser Family Foundation study, Assessing the Effects of the Economy on the Recent Slowdown in Health Spending (Study).
According to Kaiser Foundation, government statistics show that the period from 2009-2011 had the slowest growth (3.9%) in health care expenditures since the government began tracking health expenditure data in 1960.
The widely shared story about 27-year-old Tim Harris, Young entrepreneur’s life defined by dreams, not disabilities, is an uplifting reminder about the power of focusing on the abilities of individuals. Although Harris was born with […]
Even as small and other businesses are struggling to cope with rising rates and impending new rules under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), small businesses now must deal with being sideswiped by […]
Working-age adults with disabilities account for a disproportionately high amount of annual emergency department visitors, reports a comparison study from National Institutes of Health (NIA)researchers. As emergency department care may not be the best to […]
As American’s struggle in the wake of the heartbreaking massacre of 20 children and 6 teachers at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut last week to understand and find effective ways to prevent tragedies like […]
Coincident with annual Hurricane Season, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is encouraging all Americans to mark National Preparedness Month during September by preparing a family emergency plan during September. While important for all Americans, this […]
While tight budgets may require employers, families and communities to cut back on a broad range of expenditures, limited budge Employers, communities and families struggling to find affordable resources to promote and manage obesity and other wellness […]
While tight budgets preventing many businesses from investing in wellness consulting resources, a tight budget doesn’t mean your company, church, or other group can’t have a thriving wellness program. Wellness is a culture. While the resources and advice of consultants and bells and whistles can be helpful sometimes, the inability to afford them doesn’t mean that your organization or group can’t have a healthy and effective wellness program.
In the struggle to control health care costs, reported expenditures end of life expenditures often are a prime target for cost containment and cost cutting. While health care expenditures tend to significantly increase with age, American […]
U.S. health care spending grew 3.9 percent in 2010 to $2.6 trillion or $8,402 per person according to the Annual Report of National Health Expenditures (NHE). The Report notes that since 2007, the economic recession and legislative changes led to a noticeable change in the shares of health care spending financed by businesses, households, and governments. Declining enrollment in private insurance resulted in continuing growth in government financing of this care. The federal government financed 29 percent of the nation’s health care spending in 2010, an increase of six percentage points from its share in 2007 of 23 percent, and reached $742.7 billion. Part of that increase came from enhanced Federal matching funds for State Medicaid programs under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act which expired in 2011. Review the details of the Report here.