Sometimes a long view can help us understand.
In the early 1900s, life expectancy was between 45 and 50 years.
During the first half of the 20th century, public health programs — including clean water, effective sanitation and childhood vaccinations — produced increases in life expectancy and reductions in mortality at younger ages.
Social Security reduced the poverty level of women and increased life expectancy.
Employer-sponsored health insurance helped prevent bankruptcies.
People who became ill or injured could go to a hospital with improved chances of recovery.
Medicare initially provided hospital care for seniors, avoiding bankruptcy of seniors, hospitals or their families.
In its 50 years of existence, Medicare has greatly expanded physician and other services as well as hospital coverage. These additional services have increased both the life expectancy and the well-being of seniors.
As an example, consider the number of walkers, power scooters and power wheelchairs available. Prescription drug coverage was introduced in the mid-2000s, which improves life expectancy and well-being.
Government funding of Medicare and other programs such as Medicaid indirectly funded the research leading to advancements in transplant coverage, reductions in mortality due to cancer and heart disease and reduction of deaths due to falls and other accidents.
Each of these improvements have increased costs far beyond those originally planned. We cannot afford them without major changes in benefits or funding.
One other health-related cost relates to providing care to seniors who are no longer able to live independently.
The cost of long-term care could outpace the other health costs in the intermediate future.
Medicare provides short-term nursing home coverage only. There are no benefits after 100 days. At some point, most seniors will require assistance.
How much should seniors, families, insurers, employers and the government pay? And when?
However, I still prefer to live in 2014 than in 1914.
David J. Bahn, Jacksonville