NURS-6053 Module 1: Discussion – Rising Healthcare Costs
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By Day 3 of Week 1
Post a description of the national healthcare issue/stressor you selected for analysis, and explain how the healthcare issue/stressor may impact your work setting. Which social determinant(s) most affects this health issue? Then, describe how your health system work setting has responded to the healthcare issue/stressor, including a description of what changes may have been implemented. Be specific and provide examples.
By Day 6 of Week 1
Respond to at least two of your colleagues on two different days who chose a different national healthcare issue/stressor than you selected. Explain how their chosen national healthcare issue/stressor may also impact your work setting and what (if anything) is being done to address the national healthcare issue/stressor.
Rising Healthcare Costs
Rising healthcare costs in the United States represent a significant national issue, impacting healthcare delivery, access, and financial sustainability. In 2023, national health expenditures reached $4.9 trillion, reflecting a 7.5% increase from the previous year and accounting for 17.6% of the U.S. gross domestic product (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services [CMS], 2023). Several factors contribute to this escalation, including increased utilization of medical services, higher prescription drug prices, advanced medical technologies, and administrative costs. These rising expenses place financial strain on healthcare systems, patients, and providers, leading to disparities in access and quality of care (Martin et al., 2025). Healthcare organizations face growing pressure to balance cost containment with the delivery of high-quality, patient-centered services.
How It May Impact My Workplace Setting
Rising healthcare costs directly affect my workplace setting by increasing operational expenses, creating resource limitations, and intensifying staff workload. According to Kiss et al. (2023), budget constraints can lead to staff reductions, limited access to advanced medical technologies, and the postponement of non-urgent services. I have observed increased patient-to-nurse ratios, which compromise the quality of care and elevate the risk of errors. For example, nurses in my unit are often assigned more patients than the recommended ratio, reducing the time available for individualized care. Additionally, financial pressures have resulted in the postponement of equipment upgrades, forcing staff to rely on outdated technology that may hinder efficiency. Rising costs also impact patient access, as many individuals delay care due to high out-of-pocket expenses, leading to worsened health outcomes and increased reliance on emergency services.
Social Determinant Most Affecting Healthcare Costs
Income and socioeconomic status are the social determinants most significantly affecting the impact of rising healthcare costs. Individuals with lower incomes often struggle to afford healthcare services, medications, and insurance premiums, leading to delayed or foregone care. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation (2023), nearly one in four adults in the U.S. reported skipping or delaying medical care in the past year due to cost concerns. This financial barrier disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, exacerbating health disparities and increasing the demand for safety-net services. Geographic location also influences healthcare access, particularly in rural areas where medical facilities may be scarce, and travel expenses further complicate access to care. These social determinants contribute to a cycle of poor health outcomes and increased healthcare utilization, placing additional strain on the healthcare system Rising Healthcare Costs.
How My Healthcare System Has Responded to the Healthcare Issue and Changes
My healthcare system has implemented several strategies to address rising healthcare costs while maintaining quality care. One significant initiative includes the adoption of value-based care models, which focus on improving patient outcomes while controlling costs (Leao et al., 2023). This approach incentivizes providers to deliver evidence-based, efficient care, reducing unnecessary procedures and hospital readmissions. In my workplace, multidisciplinary care teams have been established to coordinate treatment plans, improving communication and reducing duplication of services. Telehealth services have also been expanded, allowing patients to access care remotely, which reduces operational costs and improves patient convenience. For instance, the implementation of virtual follow-up appointments for chronic disease management has decreased hospital readmissions by 15% over the past year.
Additionally, my healthcare system has prioritized staff training on cost-effective care delivery, emphasizing evidence-based practices and resource optimization. Cost-saving measures, such as bulk purchasing of medical supplies and streamlining administrative processes, have been implemented to reduce overhead expenses (Hinrichs-Krapels et al., 2022). Despite these efforts, the facility still faces challenges in balancing cost containment with staff satisfaction and patient-centered care. Continued investment in technology, staff support, and community outreach programs are essential to address the long-term impact of rising healthcare costs on both patients and healthcare providers Rising Healthcare Costs.
References
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2023). National Health Expenditures 2023 Highlights. Health Affairs. https://www.cms.gov/files/document/highlights.pdf Links to an external site.
Hinrichs-Krapels, S., Ditewig, B., Boulding, H., Chalkidou, A., Erskine, J., & Shokraneh, F. (2022). Purchasing high-cost medical devices and equipment in hospitals: a systematic review. BMJ open , 12 (9), e057516. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-057516 Links to an external site.
Kaiser Family Foundation. (2024, May 28). Health care affordability: Key facts. https://www.kff.org/health-costs/issue-brief/health-care-affordability-key-facts/ Links to an external site.
Kiss, A., Kiss, N., & Váradi, B. (2023). Do budget constraints limit access to health care? Evidence from PCI treatments in Hungary. International Journal of Health Economics and Management , 23 (2), 281-302. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10754-023-09349-w Links to an external site.
Leao, D. L., Cremers, H. P., van Veghel, D., Pavlova, M., & Groot, W. (2023). The impact of value-based payment models for networks of care and transmural care: a systematic literature review. Applied Health Economics and Health Policy , 21 (3), 441-466. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40258-023-00790-z Links to an external site.
Martin, A. B., Hartman, M., Washington, B., Catlin, A., & National Health Expenditure Accounts Team. (2025). National Health Expenditures In 2023: Faster Growth As Insurance Coverage And Utilization Increased: Article examines National Health Expenditures in 2023. Health Affairs , 44 (1), 12-22. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2024.01375 Rising Healthcare Costs
