BlueRidgeNow November 10, 2019
The cost of health care continues to grow, creating serious hardships for patients and families.
In 2017, health care spending accounted for almost 18% of U.S. gross domestic product, or $10,739 per person. It increased an additional 4.4% last year, nearly twice the inflation rate, according to government estimates.
What can be done to bring these costs under control? And who’s best equipped to do it?
If you think that Washington holds the key, you might want to think again. While federal government policies can help expand access to care, there is relatively little Washington can do to reduce costs without triggering other ill effects.
Health care is expensive in part because we expect it to do difficult things. Treatments...