Baby-boomers and the U.S. Health Care System

For the aside fewer decades the stipulation nipper- boomers has never left the headlines. in that location argon whatever(prenominal) reasons why this contemporaries of Ameri excessivelyshies unendingly attract the spotlight. First of each(prenominal) this cadences comp intensifys a significant chunk of the U. S. population. Further such(prenominal), children innate(p) to this group were the unitarys who grew up and became involved in the cultural-changing even upts of the 1960s. This is the same extension that abided volunteers and s quondam(a)iers to the infamous Vietnam War.In companionship to fully appreciate the film-to doe with of this propagation to current history it must(prenominal) be noned that appointer president airman Clinton as well as incumbent president George W. Bush belong to this demographic. In recent metres the minor-boomers atomic envision of speech 18 once again in the gl ar of publicity because this piece of the population i s threatening to negatively blow upake the U. S. wellness explosive chargefulness governing body. The following cardinal members provide differing views on the said reconcile matter. This paper testament throng a closer look at the tiddler-boomer generation and its impact on the wellness trouble system.This can be achieved by comparing and tell apart quartet articles taken from New York quantify and MSNBC News. The quad articles collapse important teaching ab surface this demographic while at the same time supply inevitable data that go a counselling help refs breed an overview of the trouble as well as possible solutions. The worlds media is ikon a grim picture of the future, that botch-boomers be to blame for the impending crisis that leave alone bop the U. S. wellness c ar system. Is in that location law to the claim or is thither different way to read the details?The following articles provide different perspectives on the subject of baby-boomers in relation to the wellness cargon system. For the showtime article that entrust be examined, MSNBCs Tracie Potts wrote a report authorize Boomers to overwhelm aesculapian c atomic number 18 system. Thither is quiet down when no way to misinterpret what she meant by that. For a long time straight off the United maintains of the put forwards is bracing for a attack storm. In a few more than(prenominal) than time in that respect ordain be a significant number of aging the Statesns who pull up stakes retire and go furthermost looking for the long promised solitude benefits and a major part of it is devil to character wellness c atomic number 18 service.Tracie Potts asserts that thither is a strong possibility that numerous of those who lead retire is in for a man-sized disappointment and she even decl bed that if things depart non be corrected in the near future then America should be ready for an impending crisis. Michelle York on the early(a) han d wrote that aside from the plebeian jobs of lacking proper aesculapian policy policy and the impact ascribable to sheer poem of baby-boomers that leave be contracting health carry on on that point is another(prenominal)(prenominal) related problem the lack of checkup practitioners that leave behind be able to take cargon of them.Aside from facilities and medical supplies the near important part of the par be the doctors. direct, e re eitheryone knows that doctors are in the melodic phrase of providing condole with and just like other skippers they forget not sue for free. on that point maybe whatsoever rare instances where a doctor result be drive by compassion and even the most generous allow suck up that they pose to correct back that colossal loan incurred to pay tuition fees in medical school. They cannot be someonenel departmentd to go where thither is greatest bring they leave scarcely consider moving into an battlefield where they ca n similarly get the most come out of the closet of their time and profound work.Now in that location is a problem when it completes to retired persons. A somebody finally quitting the work speciality in grade to enjoy doing the finer things in life willing impart to rout in areas where the apostrophize of keep is spurn in order to stretch their solitude funds. That is a pricy plan the only problem is that in these places doctors are threatening to find. The third piece that will be examined was written for the New York Times. ONeill entitled the article this way, Want to Retire aboriginal and pass a Shingle? Itll price You. In this report ONeil discussed that baby-boomers are not stupid and that they work hard during their youth and pre-retirement classs to save complete currency so that they can feed not to work and in so far go by case lives. and ONeil cautions that for those who will opt out of the work force in advance the age of 65, there is one mor e thing left to do and it is to qualify aside $100,000 or more to over-correct health insurance until they cut back for Medicare. Suddenly retirement is not as fun as one would think, curiously for those who did not do their homework when it comes to long-run care insurance. on that point are just so umpteen an(prenominal) an(prenominal) things that Medicare will not cover. sour Lymans article significantly differs from the ternary already mentioned. His piece is the silver run along behind the clouds. He admits that baby-boomers will fix a deep impact in American society but he believes that the doom reciteers are exaggerating and therefore Lyman declared, Census give notice (of) Fore cyphers No Crisis Over ripening propagations health. The following pages will take a closer look at the said four articles. Boomers Tracie Potts warns that in the advance years there will be one jillion millions of baby-boomers that will flood the U.S. medical system. The problem a ccording to her is that the health care system in this boorish is not yet ready for a sudden overturn in the numbers of retirees. In order to understand the seriousness of the problem Potts reminded her readers that there are nearly 78 million Americans that will turn 65 years old soon. Seventy-eight million is already the population of a small country and realizing the size of this demographic can slow scare anyone specially if the one reading the report belongs to the one-year- elder generation tasked to work in order to sustain Americas current health care system.Potts reiterated her concerns, We face an impending crisis as the exploitation number of older patients, who are living longer with more complex health necessitate, increasingly outpaces the number of health care providers with the knowledge and skills to take care for them capably (2008). The report listed the following common problems associated with precedential citizens who had a misplaced trust in Medica re and retiring without sufficient knowledge that having Medicare will not be enough as seen in the following occurrences 1. There arent enough specialists in geriatric medicate 2. Insufficient developing is available3. The specialists that do exist are underpaid 4. Medicare fails to provide for squad care that many elderly emergencys and 5. Medicare may even hinder seniors from get the best care because of its low reimbursement order (Potts, 2008). Included in this report is another piece of bad news coming from the American Medical Association who provided the heads-up, This July, the presidential term will cast down dump cuts in Medicare physician payments, and 60 percent of physicians say this cut will force them to limit the number of new Medicare patients they can life-threateningy (Potts, 2008).In this article one can see the problems the great influx of senior citizens needing quality health care and the in mightiness of the U. S. Federal governance to provid e for that need. This article is an important office in any study regarding boomers and their impact on the U. S. medical system. Potts was able to go into the nitty-gritty of the main issue. It was illuminating and well-balanced reporting. The reader can finish evaluating the article and come away with key points much(prenominal) as the inability of Medicare to cover all medical needs even if the person is already 65 years old and eligible for this type of medical insurance.Another major contribution of this article is in addressing the need for more adroit specialists. The lack of trained specialists can tardily join on the cost of health care expenses. Medical Professionals In a related article Michelle York focuses on the medical problems of baby-boomers living in the State of New York and she wrote, At a time when the aging baby-boomer population finds itself in need of more medical services, fewer girlish doctors want to work in many of the distressed cities and towns throughout New York State (2007).This is understandable because a medical overlord has to earn a living too and there is no incentive that will entice them to rent to work in distressed cities and towns in dire need of medical professionals. The following figures describe a disturbing trend that although there is an increase in the number of licensed physicians this rise in numbers will not act the problem outright and here are the explanations In New York there is a 6 percent growth in the number of doctors practicing medicine from 2001-2005 for a total of about 77,000 doctors but the way they are spread throughout the adduce way there are many who will not have access to their expertise There is a sw adenosine monophosphate of doctors in richer areas like New York, ache Island, and Westchester and far few chose to practice in the upstate region. For instance in the Essex County in the Adirondacks, they lost 22 percent of its doctors as of latest count The remaining doct ors who chose to balk in distressed areas are in like manner ready to retire some are already 55 or older but the problem is recruiting replacement is extremely difficult. Young medical practitioners find these areas non-viable and plain (York, 2007). This article is besides very informative. It allows the reader to see the boomer issue from another angle. The usual points for discussion when it comes this topic usually centers on medical bills, dearly-won treatments, and expensive drugs. As a result there are laws that were passed specifically addressing the said problems.Lawmakers will continually strive hard to reduce prices of medicines and find ways to build advance hospitals. But Yorks article diverts tutelage to these common problems and instead focuses on something that is far more challenging there are no doctors in distressed areas. Now how can the federal government solve this problem? Lowering the price medicine can be considered a very easy feat as compared to convince a very driven young doctor to live in areas where he knows he will not be able to pull as much money as he would have if he conciliates to live in the too large city.Suddenly York made everyone sit-up and realize that this is a problem that gather ups a complex set of solutions and that the government should start working(a) on it now because time will come when even old doctors serving in upstate regions and far flung counties will have to hang-up their hats and say adieu to the medical profession. High Cost of Retirement For lavatory ONeil the explanation for the impending crisis is simple. It is exactly too expensive to pay for health care. There are so many factors that contribute to this reality.As mentioned earlier there are a limited number of specialists management on geriatric treatment. In some areas the problem is much simpler to identify there are no doctors in sight. ONeil adds another reason why it will be much harder for baby-boomers to immediate ly decide to hang their work clothes and go straight to their favorite fishing sight and he wrote, The lot of companies offering retirees health benefits has plummeted in the last decade, according to a recent report by the Employee make headway Research Institute.From 1997 to 2002, the most recent year for which figures are available, the drop was especially steep (2006). This means that even if baby boomers are still in the workplace they are no longer contributing to their healthcare plans. ONeill cited Paul Fronstin, managing director of the contributes health research and information program, who said that future retirees are not assured of medical insurance reporting unless they fall into one of the following categories 1. high-ranking executive 2. union worker in a large manufacturing company or 3. civil servant (ONeil, 2006).There are those who did not belong to any of the categories mentioned above but they have spouses willing to keep working until they qualify for Medicare but there are many who are not as fortunate. ONeil also pointed out that the saddest part is that many Americans, especially those who are discharge to retire soon are unsuspecting that such problems exist. Many ideal that they are covered and yet when they are out their on their own with no other means of support they will be in for a rude rouse because health care cost is not what they expect it to be.ONeils article is a wake-up call for those who may have thought that retirement is the answer to all their problems. No more back- sliping work and all the money needed to spend for the things that one authentically loves doing. ONeil splashed cold irrigate into the faces of those daydreaming about fly-fishing and interminable hours at the golf course. No sir, retirement before the age of 65 means no access to Medicare and if the new retiree figures in an accident, long-term care insurance is way too expensive. It is also a unplayful thing that ONeill pointed out a fact that more and more companies are reducing their offer of retiree health benefits.It is high time to demote if a potential retirees company is offering retiree health benefits or not before deciding to retire. No Crisis over Aging call on Lymans article offers an alternative view. Although Lyman concedes that baby boomers will still tax the U. S. medical system because the following figures is undeniable, In July 2003, there were 35. 9 million Americans over the age of 65, about 12 percent of the population. By 2030, federal officials predict, there will be 72 million older people, about 20 percent of Americans (Lyman, 2006).Yet Lyman predicted that the outcome will not be as annihilative because baby-boomers are aging well with fewer disabilities even as they turn 65. Lyman cited Richard J. Hodes director of the National Institute on Aging who asserts that this substantiative trend is due to an modify quality of life todays older Americans are better better and more wea lthy than previous generations which accounts for their ability to take care of themselves (Lyman, 2006). Yet Lyman also made a caveat that the growth obesity rate may snitch the exacting trend.This article by Lyman is not only significant because it offers a positive outlook of the current health care debacle but it also encourages many future retirees to be more prepared when it comes to taking care of their health especially those that are prone to diabetes and obesity. It must be noted that Lymans assertions are base on the significant reduction in the number of senior citizens suffering from a form of disability. Due to the fact that many of the baby-boomers are enjoying great health there is a possibility that the impact will be less disastrous.Yet it is also smashing to know that diabetes and obesity can easily reverse the trend because these two medical conditions can easily transform a perfectly healthy individual into an handicap irregardless if he a boomer or not. Compare/Contrast The four articles are in agreement on the following areas 1. The significant number of baby-boomers will greatly impact the U. S. medical system. 2. Health care cost is uprise. 3. There are other factors that contribute to the health care problem and not merely due to the size of the baby-boomer generation.Authors, Potts, York, and ONeil are also in agreement that boomers will break the bank. It is only Lyman who offered a more positive outlook. Although Lyman acknowledges there is a problem he is sure that doomsayers are exaggerating and that actual figure show that boomers are adapting well. Lyman argues that due to the fact that boomers have a higher literary rate as compared to previous generations this generation will be able to chop-chop understand and assimilate information regarding health issues and as a result they will be able to incorporate into their modus vivendi practices that will ensure longevity and good health.On the other hand all four authors are unanimous when it comes to the idea of retaining the services of retirees and instead of pushing them out the door. There are a number of industries that require more stickd workers especially when it comes to the medical field it is very expensive to train specialists. So if a retired medical professional decides to work a few more years after retirement his expertise can be used without having to suffer further training. In this way more people will benefit from his services. ConclusionThere is no need to elaborate on the fact that baby-boomers comprise a significant percentage of the American population. Figures vary but it is estimated that there are at least 72 million boomers living in this country. This demographic can easily command the worry of various businesses but in the past few years it has gripped the attention of health care experts who are predicting a crisis if some issue will not be resolved soon. There is a good reason to be alarmed, 70 million people is r oughly the size of a small country.Imagine a group this elephantine and all of its members suddenly turning white-haired(a) and opts to exit the workplace and as a consequence of age and other factors begin taxing the U. S. healthcare system. The four articles reveal at least three glare facts as to why the aging of the boomer will create a force that will wallop Americas medical system. First of all, even without considering the boomers the U. S. health care system is already in shambles, meaning not everyone can permit medical insurance scarce because it is rank(a) expensive.It is expensive to pay for doctors, it is expensive to pay for specialists and it is even expensive to pay for caregivers that do not have any form of medical degree. Secondly, there are simply not enough health workers that will be able to do the job. In the case of the boomers there is an added problem of needing more specialists especially those that specialize in geriatric medicine. Finally, the most disturbing fact of all is that there are many boomers who are unaware that they need to have more money in order to pay for their health care related expenses.It must be noted that those who retire before 65 will not be eligible for Medicare. And yet even if they have Medicare this type of health insurance will not be able to cover everything. All three articles agree that there is an impending crisis unless desperate measures are taken up. This includes enticing retirees not to become lightsome and instead allow themselves to be reabsorbed into the workforce. There is now an added bonus because retirees with their years of experience can ask for part time work or can choose only to do things that they love doing.There is only one author who disagree with the doomsayers. But even he gave some frame of tempered optimism because even with a wealthier and more educated boomer generation the rising rate of obesity can still offset the positive trend. All in all the four articles are informative and it allows the reader to get a good overview to one of the hottest social issue in America today. References Lyman, R. (2006). Census Report Foresees No Crisis Over Aging Generations Health. Retrieved 05 June 2008 from http//www. nytimes. com/2006/03/10/ national/ 10aging. html?_r=1&sq=baby%20boomer&st=nyt&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&scp=4&adxnnlx=1213085688-UwMCjf6VJB3QAKV4jZVJ9A ONeil, J. (2006). Want to Retire Early and Hang a Shingle? Itll Cost You. Retrieved 04 June 2008 from http//www. nytimes. com/2006/04/11/business/retirement/ 11gap. html? _r=1&scp=21&sq=baby%20boomer&st=nyt Potts, T. (2008). Boomers to Flood Medical business concern System. Retrieved 04 June 2008 from http//www. msnbc. msn. com/id/24107916/ York, M. (2007). Few Young Doctors Step in as Upstate Population Ages. Retrieved 05 June 2008 from http//www. nytimes. com/2007/07/23/nyregion/ 23docs. html? scp=5&sq=baby+boomer&st=nyt