Healthcare is a fundamental aspect of our lives, and we all require it at some point. However, the rising cost of healthcare has become a significant concern for individuals and families across the globe. As healthcare expenses continue to soar, they increasingly impact consumer spending patterns.
Category Archive: Cost of healthcare in the U.S.
While Medicare is a valuable resource for seniors and some individuals with disabilities, it’s crucial to dispel the illusion that it covers all health expenses. Medicare is a lifeline for millions of Americans, providing essential healthcare coverage to those aged 65 and older and some younger individuals with specific disabilities. It’s often seen as a safety net, a promise of comprehensive healthcare coverage later in life. However, there’s a common misconception that Medicare covers all health expenses.
Prescription drug costs have been a hot topic in recent years, and for good reason. Many people rely on medications to maintain their health, and the rising cost of prescription drugs can be a significant financial burden. While generic drugs are often considered more affordable, some may be surprised that even these medications can come with hefty price tags.
The healthcare industry is undoubtedly one of the most critical sectors of any economy. It plays a vital role in ensuring the well-being of a nation’s citizens, and the quality and accessibility of healthcare services can be a matter of life and death. In recent years, private equity firms have increasingly sought to invest in healthcare. Still, their presence in this industry has raised concerns about its potential dangers to patients and the healthcare system.
In recent years, the pharmaceutical industry has come under intense scrutiny for its pricing practices, particularly the habit of raising prices on top drugs twice a year. While often justified by pharmaceutical companies as necessary for research and development, these price hikes have significant consequences for patients, healthcare systems, and society. In this blog post, we will explore the impact of these biannual drug price increases and shed light on their broader implications on healthcare access, affordability, and public health.
- At the start and halfway points of each year, many pharmaceutical companies raise drug prices to bolster revenue and reportedly fund new research.
- A new STAT analysis of mid-year price hikes has found that, despite these new requirements, drug prices are on the rise. Indeed, on July 1, drugmakers raised the wholesale price on over 123 drugs in what’s the largest number of mid-year price hikes since 2013.
- The median price increase for these drugs was 3.4%, just above the one-year inflation rate of 3.2%. So, over half of these medications could potentially face rebates, including 10 Pfizer drugs whose prices increased by 10%, such as long-acting penicillin Bicillin and blood thinner Fragmin.