According to Health Ties, one of the biggest challenges currently experienced in the health care sector is the increase in a number of the aging population. This has majorly been caused by the increase in life expectancy. Therefore, there is an economic concept involved. For instance, the government will have to spend a lot of money taking care of the aging population (Andre, Velasquez, and Mazur 4).
Since this group is likely to suffer from particular illness connected to aging, the government spends a lot of money in treating aging patients. This issue relates to the health care sector in that it discusses the health effects of the increased aging population. There is a current policy of increasing the retirement age to make the aging population more active. Consequently, this policy is important because it will ensure that the aging population remains active, as discussed earlier.
Additionally, the government will not have to spend a lot of money on taking care of them. The problem with this policy is that there will be fewer job opportunities available since the positions will be occupied by the aging population for a longer period. The other biggest challenge currently experienced in the health care sector is its sustainability.
The current costs involved, in ensuring good health, are regarded as unsustainable hence, there should be ways of making use of the scarce resources more competently and successfully (Andre, Velasquez and Mazur 4). To solve the problem, there are several proposed payment policies. This is important as it will reduce the costs that are involved in ensuring high health care. The problem with the policies is that the money is expected to come from tax payers.
Another challenge is the problem of the high cost of healthcare, which affects the U.S. citizens as they seek treatment in healthcare institutions. This is caused by poor healthcare policies, economic challenges, and poor lifestyles by individuals, and it has resulted in the provision of poor healthcare services to patients.
The cost of healthcare has been steadily increasing over the years, and the current levels are astronomical to many individuals. Poor policies on healthcare issues have been identified as a major contributing factor to the current high cost of healthcare in the United States. Many United States citizens also contribute to this problem indirectly by engaging in activities which cause them various lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and obesity.
Access to affordable healthcare is a basic requirement for all United States citizens. As such, measures should be put in place to eliminate the causes of the rising cost of healthcare and to reduce the current high costs. The government should also engage more with all the stakeholders in the healthcare industry to ensure that the policies it comes up with benefit all the stakeholders.
If the problem of the rising cost of healthcare is not addressed, there is the possibility of increased mortality among U.S. citizens from treatable ailments (Health Ties 4). The number of chronic illness cases among citizens is also likely to increase. The quality of healthcare services provided is also likely to diminish in the coming years.
Funds available for advancing healthcare research would also be lacking, and the healthcare providers would have no alternative but to seek better employment opportunities abroad. The increasing cost of healthcare would simply devastate the healthcare industry in the United States in the long run.
Works Cited
Andre Claire, Velasquez Manuel and Mazur Tim. Voluntary health risks: Who should pay? 2013.
Health Ties. Challenges in healthcare. 2013. Web.