Healthcare Education and Q&A Thread

[saden1]

What is the cost of the current system and is it sustainable?

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by saden1

What is the cost of the current system and is it sustainable?

That question is extremely vague. The "cost of the current system" cannot be put into meaningful dollar terms. If I said $2.0 trillion per year, does that mean anything to anybody?

Is it sustainable? Depends. In some communities absolutely, in others not at all. For some employers absolutely, other employers not at all. For some doctors and providers absolutely, others not at all.

I can tell you this, Medicare cannot afford to continue paying the current reimbursement rates over the course of the next 20 years. Benefits will have to be cut or taxes raised. Something will have to change.