News :Aging Baby Boomers Threaten to Overwhelm U.S. Healthcare

Posted on Monday, June 30, 2008

America is headed for a one-two punch that has the potential to deal the nation’s healthcare system a knockout blow – and just when it will be most in demand. Post-war “Baby Boomers,” the most numerous generation in American history, are reaching retirement age. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 75 million Boomers will reach age 65 and be eligible for Medicare by 2011. Over the next decade, the growing need for medical, and particularly nursing, care is expected to reach crisis levels. Unfortunately, peaking demand is occurring at a time when our nation’s supply of doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers is in critically short supply.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. faces a current shortage of 120,000 nurses. An average nurse vacancy rate of 8.5 percent plagues hospitals nationwide, placing additional strain on often overworked medical professionals. Health and Human Services projections estimate that the national shortage of nurses will double over the next two years, top 500,000 by 2015 and reach one million by 2020. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) projects that 110,000 new nurses per year will be needed through 2012 to meet growing demand. While nursing applicants have increased in recent years, faculty and teaching facilities have been unable to keep up with demand. In 2007, four-year nursing programs were forced to turn away 30,000 qualified applicants, according to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.

While the sheer numbers of the Boomer generation are expected to strain America’s healthcare system, the growing crisis is compounded by advances in medical science and technology. Not only are people living longer, but older people utilize medical services at a significantly higher rate than younger people. The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey conducted by the CDC revealed that adults 66 and older averaged six doctor visits per year, compared to 2.2 annual visits for adults aged 25 to 35. In addition, each year medical advances enable us to treat an increasing array of health problems and improve life expectancy for many chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. As life expectancy from previously incurable conditions like breast and uterine cancers increases, so does the continued need for medical care. Our increased emphasis on preventive care places another burden on our country’s healthcare system.

In a September 2007 Gallup Poll, Americans chose healthcare as the most important domestic policy issue facing our country today. Presidential candidates are stumping for healthcare reform and increased healthcare for all citizens; however, many plans fail to address the growing shortage of doctors, nurses, and healthcare workers. The success of any plan to expand access to healthcare services will hinge on the ability to significantly increase the nation’s supply of doctors and nurses. Highly-trained and skilled physicians and nurses form the foundation upon which our system of medical care is built.