Consumerism in Health Care

Consumerism in Health Care Name: Institution: Course: Date: Consumerism in Health Care The economy of the United States is based on the foundation laid out by the consumers. More than 70% of the gross domestic product is reliant on the consumers' personal consumption habits. The aspect of consumers and their ability to buy any products is the sole driving force in the market affecting aspects such as innovation (Robinson, 2005). As companies try to match the needs of the customers on their daily life and associated activities, the economy keeps on growing and more importantly dependent on the consumer behaviors, it is for this reason that consumer behavior is such as heavily researched topic given the role it plays in the corporate decisions across the globe not just in America (Zeckhauser & Sommers, 2013). The health care sector has also had some significant changes some of which have driven the industry towards consumerism. As the industry has shifted towards a consumer market, there remains a large gap of needs that have not been met, despite the promise of better service, lower costs and quality care (Zeckhauser & Sommers, 2013). Over the last five years the health care sector has evolved and is actually expected to increase in terms of cost per capita. Ideally there is a trend in the increase and one that is expected to exceed that of the economy by the year 202. The national health care spending is expected to have exceeded 19 percent of the GDP. All these is predictable from the five years of health care growth and the trends that the industry has set over this time frame (Keckley & Coughlin, 2012). By first of January of the year 2014, more than 32 million individuals were expected to hold a minimum level of health care insurance. Although the favorite views of the overall system performance have been increasing the system is still considered to be confusing, costly and complex. At the same time the perceptions of wasted spending along with the cost of health care remain unfavorable (Robinson, 2005). There has also been a decline in the confidence that the people have in dealing with the future health care costs and expenses (Keckley & Coughlin, 2012). There is a common feeling among the seniors that the health care system is improving and inspires more confidence, while most of the younger generations do not feel the same as their confidence continues to decrease. While some are delaying or simply deciding to decline seeking medical care, others seek better value for their money while other seek cheaper health care plan options by switching between different health care providers. The element of consumerism in health care is one is crucial relative to the number of people it affects and the impact the same has on the economy (Keckley & Coughlin, 2012). The US has one of the largest spending in reference to health care provision when compared to other developed nations across the globe. As such, understanding the effects of the changes effected in the health care sector with shift towards consumerism is one that is quite significant. Consumerism in the health care sector has created constraints in the communication between the medical professions and the pat...