Question

Discuss the eight main forces that will determine future changes in health care. In your personal opinion, which aspects are the most uniquely significant for the US system?

Answer 1

8 Forces of Future Change
Social and demographic
Economic
Political
Technological
Informational
Ecological
Global
Anthro-cultural

Social and Demographic Force
- the US is getting bigger, older, and more ethnically diverse
- specific needs are the highest cost drivers
- spending has to be cut to sustain Part B (paying physicians) and Part D (paying for prescription drugs) of Medicare
- retirement of baby boomers (started in 2011) will increase the number of beneficiaries
- the nation's economy will determine the future of Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security

Economic Force
- National debt, economic growth, and employment/Household income determines the availability of health care services
- GDP is expected to exceed in growth in federal expenditures between 2012 and 2018
- Budget Control Act of 2011
- potential budgetary consequences of the ACA are uncertain

Political Force
- Policies that affect education and immigration policies determines the number of future health care workers and their qualifications
- Healthcare is an issue that Americans remain divided on

Technological Force
- Many believe that technological innovation in medical sciences will revolutionize health care
- Americans favor:
· Ongoing innovation
· Availability
· The use of new technology
research and development is very expensive along with high costs of unrestrained use of technology
- Need to utilize control measures if we want to keep on using technology.

Informational Force
Its full potential is still evolving, but it has many applications.

Ecological Force
- New diseases: can cause mass hysteria
- Natural disasters: create conditions that pose serious health risks
- Bioterrorism: growth of humans intensifies the human-animal-ecosystem interface raising the possibility for unknown diseases to arise.

Global Force
- Medical missionaries do charity work out of personal ethics and compassion
- Generic drugs are manufactured in Asian countries; cheaper but harder to maintain the safety and supply of the drugs
- Medical tourism
- Cross-border telemedicine
- Standardization of licensing and qualification requirements.

Anthro-Cultural Force
- A society's beliefs, values, ethos, and traditions
- Americans have historically acted against radical changes in the financing and delivery of health care.