Protect Yourself


by: Blaine G. Dares


Health care costs are now approaching 15% of our national economy
and the economic repercussions have been felt by most American
families as employers are unwilling to absorb the bulk of the health
care cost burden.

In 2004, employer health insurance premiums increased by 11.2% -
nearly four times the rate of inflation. The annual premium for an
employer health plan covering a family of four averaged nearly
$10,000. The annual premium for single coverage averaged $3,695.
Health insurance premiums will rise to an average of more than
$14,500 for family coverage in 2006.

In 2004, health care spending in the United States reached $1.7
trillion, and is projected to reach $1.9 trillion in 2005. Health
care spending is 4.3 times the amount spent on national defense.

Overall national health care costs will increase further with the
implementation of Medicare prescription drug coverage. Too many
Americans are uninsured while even a greater percentage have no
insurance at all. Uninsured individuals also present a problem for
hospitals and other providers who must provide treatment in
catastrophic situations without compensation.

Many employees receive restricted coverage and insurance plans that
are negotiated between employers and insurance providers limit
coverage to a single insurance carrier or an HMO.

Prescription drugs are the fastest-growing part of the nation's
health care expense. Pharmacy bills have become a significant item
in the budget of most families.

For 37% of Americans without prescription coverage, the problem is
critical. Especially for seniors who constitute 12% of the
population but use 37% of prescription drugs. The rest especially
those without health insurance, is significantly affected by high
drug prices.

What has caused this cost increase?
Much of it is due to a riddled health care system of excessive
administrative expenses, inflated prices, poor management,
inappropriate care, waste and fraud. These problems significantly
increase the cost of medical care and health insurance for employers
and workers.

On the other side of the cost issue there is the recent development
of new effective medications for a variety of illnesses. Such newer
"brand name" medications are patent-protected and cost far more than
generic medications.

The drug industry argues that the higher cost of new medications
helps fund research and development of even newer medicines. Many
critics argue that much of the research and development of
pharmaceutical products is actually government funded.

Also contributing to the cost increase is marketing. As this is 30%
of a drug manufacturer's budget. Brand-name U.S drug makers were
reported to employ 81% more people in marketing than in research and
development of much needed drugs.

Policymakers and government officials agree that health care costs
must be controlled. But they disagree on the best ways to address
rapidly escalating health spending. Some favor price controls and
imposing strict budgets on health care spending.

Others believe free market competition is the best way to solve the
problems but if people can't afford it, how will they protect
themselves and their family?

Well there is something you can do and that's become apart of the
solution and not the problem by learning more about our troubled
medical industry.

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About the author:
Blaine Dares is the President of Medical Card Savings USA Saving
over 1 Million Americans over $100 Million on Dental, Medical,
Prescriptions, Vision & Chiropractic Care. Instant Nationwide
Savings. For complete details visit
http://www.medicalcardsavings.com