Baby boomers' impact on future healthcare costs and demand

¶ … Baby Boomer Population have on Health Care

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A common challenges that millions of Americans are wrestling with, is various health care costs. As they are having a negative impact on the health of the individual and the overall services being offered. This is because the increasing costs are selectively pricing, large groups of the population out of the health care system. For the Baby Boomers, this is troubling because they face the possibility of having less health care services (as most will not be able to afford the increases). In this outline we are seeking to determine, some of the underlying effects that the Baby Boomers will have on the health care system in the future.

Introduction

Over the last several years, the issue of: aging Baby Boomers and their effects on health care; have been increasingly brought to the forefront. Part of the reason for this, is because they represent such a large segment of the population. Where, they account for 75.5 million people or 40% of the population demographic. (Green, 2006, pg. 8)This is significant, because the various stages of life that this generation goes through; will have a profound impact upon the social programs and infrastructure of the nation. As their changing needs will be reflected, by shifts that are occurring in demand for a number of products and services. In the area of health care, demand, this is starting to increase dramatically. This is because a larger number of Baby Boomers are placing pressure on system. Evidence of this can be found with various government programs such as Medicare. Where, it is widely expected that the increasing numbers of this population demographic becoming older, will force a shift to occur in the way various services are provided. As the acute care-based model, will have to change to one that is more focused on addressing the needs of a large population group. The challenge is being able to provide these services to Baby Boomers, while maintaining a low cost structure. (Mellor, 2005, pp. 49 -- 54) This problematic, because the increasing demand is causing costs to rise sharply. According to the OECD the current amount of GDP spent on health care in 2009, was 5%. However, in the coming decades this number is expected to rise sharply with costs accounting for: 11% of the GDP in 2035 and 20% of GDP spending by 2080. (OECD, 2009, pg. 100) This is important, because it shows the possible effects that Baby Boomers are having on health care. In this proposal, we will highlight: the underlying issue as well as the potential long-term effects. To fully understand this impact requires: conducting a literature review, research methodology, data analysis, examining various research findings / results and providing summary of the findings / results. Together, these different elements will provide the greatest insights, as to the total impact that the Baby Boomers will have on health care.

Research Methodology

To correlate the various finding of the literature review, a survey will be conducted to determine the overall prevalence of: various conditions and the possible effects that it will have on the health care industry.

Unit Analysis

The subjects that will be interviewed will be current Baby Boomers (who were born between 1945 and 1964). We will use the current group of retirees that are older than the Baby Boomers, to see what services are currently being offered and how they are affecting this group. This will establish an independent variable (with the older retirees serving as the status quo), while the Baby Boomers would be the control group. Where, researchers are trying to determine the possible effects that specific characteristics of the Baby Boomers will have on health care.

Selection of the Sample

The sample will be selected by allowing anyone who was born before 1964, to participate in the survey (as this is a non-random sample). That being said, we could isolate the survey down to 40 individuals in various health care clinics and hospital settings. Where, we will focus on their ethnic group and age, to determine the possible effects of this generation on the health care system.

Data Gathering Technique

The data gathering technique will be to conduct the survey at: hospitals and clinics. Where, respondents will complete a written questionnaire, which will ask them general information about their health and the demands for health care services.

Types of Data Gathered

The different topics that will be discussed during the survey would include: the health of the individual, the amounts of coverage that they are receiving, how health care costs / demand are impacting their finances, if they are using private / government funded programs and if they are seeing higher co pays / out of pocket expenses.

Data Analysis Technique

To analyze the data, we will be using qualitative analysis. This is when you are looking at the information from the surveys and are corroborating them, with the information from the literature review, to determine the overall social impact of the problem. Once this is complete, it will provide a greater understanding, as to the overall scope of the challenges. (Ezzy, 2002, pp. xi -- xvi)

Methods used to Improve the Measurement of this Study

The method that will be use to correlate the findings of the study, is conducting two different surveys with: a dependent and independent variable. This will provide: the best validity, reliability and practicality; as the results from the two variables can be corroborated against one another. At which point, we can begin correlate the findings from the literature review with the surveys. This will provide the most accurate insights, as to how the Baby Boomers will be affecting the health care system in the future.

Research Findings / Results

The findings of research are: that a health care crisis is quickly approaching in the next several years. This is because the current system, is not addressing the underlying challenges of: increasing demand and rising prices. To corroborate the different findings from the literature review a survey will be conducted. This will accurately determine the underlying trends and possible challenges that could be facing the sector in the future (from the increasing number of aging Baby Boomers).

Summary of the Findings and their Implications

Clearly, the Baby Boomers are creating a seismic shift in the way various health care services will be delivered in the future. This is because they account for such a large segment of the population. At the same time, the services that they demand and the number of health conditions that are affecting this group (i.e. diabetes / heart disease) underscores how they will require more health care services. This is problematic, because it means that the current health care system will more than likely face severe challenges in the future. To corroborate these findings we will conduct an independent survey. This will determine overall effect that the Baby Boomers will have on the health care system in the future. At which point, we can begin making inferences about what possible changes will more than likely take place, because of this situation.