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Why has health expenditure risen in OECD?

  • 08-12-2009 2:18pm
    #1
    SRFC90
    Registered Users Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭


    Hey, can anyone please explain this to me, I'm preparing for an economics exam and thought I'd get a good response here!

    Thanks guys!


Comments

  • #2
    SLUSK
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,156 ✭✭✭SLUSK


    SRFC90 wrote: »
    Hey, can anyone please explain this to me, I'm preparing for an economics exam and thought I'd get a good response here!

    Thanks guys!
    What time frame are we talking about here? Since last year, last decade, since 50 years ago?


  • #3
    SRFC90
    Registered Users Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭SRFC90


    SLUSK wrote: »
    What time frame are we talking about here? Since last year, last decade, since 50 years ago?

    My apologies, the exam Q is literally just the statement above, but I would take it in more recent times? Since rapid growth began in last 5 years or so?


  • #4
    SRFC90
    Registered Users Posts: 1,628 ✭✭✭SRFC90


    ......

    anyone!?


  • #5
    nesf
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 27,645 ✭✭✭✭nesf


    Populations are aging. OECD countries tend towards having socialised healthcare in some format or another (even the US has a free healthcare program for the elderly). Older people need more and more expensive healthcare than younger ones. If the % of older people in the economy increases then healthcare costs will increase even if everything else stays the same price.

    There are other factors but if you want a 1H you can go research it yourself. :p


  • #6
    Flamed Diving
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,609 ✭✭✭Flamed Diving


    OECD countries are the only places where the most expensive drugs can be sold, at profit. Pharma companies spend billions researching drugs and receive "only" a twenty year patent in order to sell it at monopoly prices. Drug treatments for Chron's Disease can cost up to €15,000, for example. So perhaps as drugs become more sophisticated, they require more input costs from Pharma's and therefore cost more to purchase for rich countries.


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  • #7
    thebman
    Closed Accounts Posts: 10,012 ✭✭✭✭thebman


    Also equipment as new discoveries/cures are made that can use technology and new surgery techniques.

    Basically loads of stuff in every area.


  • #8
    Hasschu
    Registered Users Posts: 411 ✭✭Hasschu


    In many developed countries demand is subsidised by various governmental and quasi governmental schemes. Supply is for the most part private enterprise such as independent contractors like doctors, specialists, technicians, La b services. Drugs are now a large factor in the overall cost structure. It is the old entitlement program conundrum which will be with us for some time to come. Hospitals are by and large heavily subsidised which increases supply of patients and demand for doctors, nurses, specialists, technicians and equipment such as xray, MRI, CT-SCan and so on. The cure as practiced by the British and others is to create a shortage of doctors and hospital beds. That works until the public back lash occurs.


  • #9
    Barname
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,084 ✭✭✭Barname


    alot is linked to depression

    people want to have a problem

    they seek a diagnosis, then embark on a 'cure'

    they would be better off excercising, hard.

    but no..... the answer for all is in a pill


  • #10
    Flamed Diving
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,609 ✭✭✭Flamed Diving


    Barname wrote: »
    alot is linked to depression

    people want to have a problem

    they seek a diagnosis, then embark on a 'cure'

    they would be better off excercising, hard.

    but no..... the answer for all is in a pill

    Genius. :rolleyes:


  • #11
    Barname
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,084 ✭✭✭Barname


    Flamed Diving wrote: »
    Genius. :rolleyes:

    yes Mr Snarky, I am. ;)


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  • #12
    Flamed Diving
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,609 ✭✭✭Flamed Diving


    Barname wrote: »
    yes Mr Snarky, I am. ;)

    Sure mental illness is only made up by people who don't want to work.

    Sure all this depression stuff only arrived in the last ten years. Where was it a century ago? Exactly...

    Sure half of them are only putting it on...

    I never tire of hearing them. Like the scrawling of nails on a chalkboard.


  • #13
    Barname
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,084 ✭✭✭Barname


    Flamed Diving wrote: »
    Sure mental illness is only made up by people who don't want to work.

    Sure all this depression stuff only arrived in the last ten years. Where was it a century ago? Exactly...

    Sure half of them are only putting it on...

    I never tire of hearing them. Like the scrawling of nails on a chalkboard.

    nails on chalkboard, hmm, while not a fan, I wouldnt let it get to me...


  • #14
    Flamed Diving
    Closed Accounts Posts: 6,609 ✭✭✭Flamed Diving


    Barname wrote: »
    nails on chalkboard, hmm, while not a fan, I wouldnt let it get to me...

    Yes, I'm sure if you were in a room where a person was continually doing it, you would remain in your seat and take no action...

    We're done.


  • #15
    Barname
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,084 ✭✭✭Barname


    Flamed Diving wrote: »
    Yes, I'm sure if you were in a room where a person was continually doing it, you would remain in your seat and take no action...

    they were never there.....

    :eek:


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