Healthcare Industry

Healthcare Industry

Tammy Hill

HCS/449

Mia Johnson

03/07/2010

In the rapidly changing healthcare industry, new procedures and methods of determining diagnosis and treatment has been made possible through technological advances. Technology plays a major role in health care organizations and will continue in the coming decade. Technological advances have increased the longevity and improved the quality of life for many Americans; especially for the aging population. Challenges in the health care industry are Healthcare costs, Baby Boomers, and increasing customer dissatisfaction. Even though health care is persistently changing, it is important that we understand these changes in order for health care to be successful.

Changes in the last 10 years

There have been many changes over the past 10 years in the health care industry. The opportunities and challenges have had a sufficient impact on the American population. A major challenge faced in the past over the last 10 years is the increase in healthcare cost; the majority of the cost is surrounding new and improved technology. “Twenty years ago U.S. healthcare cost $2800, on average, per person. Ten years ago, that figure had risen to $4700 per person. And four years ago, in 2008, it was $7500 per person” (Chideya, F, 2012). A health care service for the aging population has grown over the years; which contributes to the aging population living longer.

“Ten years ago, the 65+ population was 12% of all Americans. Today it is well on the way to becoming 20%. The increase in the number of those 85+ is even more astounding, growing from 3.8 million people 10 years ago to a projected 9.6 million in 2030. So, one of the biggest changes in the past decade is sheer numbers, which are still on the way up” (Katz, C., 2010).

Biggest change in the next 10 years

According to Andrew, P.S.2 (2012), “In June 2012, the Supreme Court largely let stand the Affordable Care Act...