Big changes in store for US healthcare

Image Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk

Late in 2014, experts were already predicting big changes ahead for the US healthcare system, especially in the areas of insurance, medical services, payments, supplies, and pharmaceuticals. Early in 2015, it appears that Republicans are making moves to speed up the process of change.

However, healthcare executives revealed that the 2010 law aimed at providing health coverage for millions of uninsured Americans is unlikely to be repealed. It may yet undergo many amendments but it is already well-established and it cannot be removed entirely.

For a time, US healthcare policy was centered on individuals getting insurance through their employers. An emerging trend, however, has shown that Americans with a health insurance policy from their job could become a minority. Surveys from the past few years have shown a steady decline in the number of Americans below 65 years old who have health insurance from their employer. In 2009, the figure was at 59.2 percent and in 2013 it was at 57.1 percent.

Image Source: bloombergview.com

The number of people who are still on employer-based insurance has been on a steady decline for most age groups. However, young adults remain the exception to this trend. Most of them are still on their parents’ plan until they reach age of 26 because of an Obamacare provision.

Big changes are coming to US healthcare, albeit slowly. At the moment, it is unclear whether these changes will lead to better options for Americans. However, with the shift in power in the healthcare, consumers may gain greater control over the care that they receive.

Image Source: worldofdtcmarketing.com

Dr. George Northrop of Danbury is a board-certified physician, medical law expert, and healthcare executive. For more articles about the healthcare industry, visit this Facebook page.