Chronic Disease costs $1.324 trillion in treatment expenditures and lost productivity each year

The Cost in Dollars and Cents

Chronic disease is a major driver of health care costs and severely effects the affordability of health insurance. 75% of health care spending goes to the treatment of chronic disease and the secondary disease states it causes. In Medicare and Medicaid, the percentage of spending on chronic disease is even higher - 96% and 83% respectively.

Since 2000, health insurance premiums for employer-sponsored family coverage has increase 87% in large part due to the increased incidence of chronic disease. Health care costs for people with chronic disease are five times higher than those without such a condition.

New Yorkers spend an estimated $7.6 billion annually to treat obesity related health care costs. Governor Paterson seeks to reduce the rate of obesity through taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages.

The Milken Institute has some fascinating statistics on the true cost of chronic disease in New York State. Click here to access a full report on the economic impact of chronic disease nationwide. The New York Times has reported on the regional differences in cost and care.

Check out the big picture of New York's health insurance plans.

The Cost in Human Life

Nearly half of all Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease. More than two-thirds of all deaths are caused by diabetes, cancer, stroke, heart disease and lung disease. Chronic disease lessens the quality of life for those who suffer from it and also for their loved ones and care-givers.

Click on the chronic disease for specific statistics

Diabetes

Heart Disease

Lung Disease

Obesity

Asthma

Mesothelioma

Leading Theories in Responsible Cost Containment

The New England Journal of Medicine has published an analysis of VBBD. The United Health Group implemented its own version of value-based benefit design.

Read more about the New York State Health Foundation's coverage and cost containment activities.

Calorie, sodium and saturated fat reductions in the American diet could result in potential health benefits and medical cost savings.

Reports have been issued on New York's uninsured and underinsured. And there is information available concerning the role medicines play in reducing health care costs.

See the details of the Federal recovery act grants that will help reduce chronic disease and disparities.

What does Federal Healthcare Reform Mean for New York

Here is a rundown on the effect the new healthcare reform bill will have on the states and a helpful paper on Medicare spending and enrollment. Here is a useful slide presentation from the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation on the implications of healthcare reform for the states. The Council of State Governments has produced a video to detail the effects of federal healthcare reform on the states.

In US Healthcare Reform: Impact and Implications for the Pharmaceutical and Biotech Industries, FirstWord tackles the complex and highly speculative world of US healthcare reform to deliver a concise and timely report that addresses the industry’s most pressing concerns. The report delves into the history and genesis of President Obama’s nascent healthcare legislation, and examines the benefits, the absent provisions and the challenges.

See how New York State benefits from the federal healthcare reform bill.

There is an official government site dedicated to healthcare reform. In addition, there is a clearinghouse of information available on healthcare reform.

New York State Health Foundation has a page on what federal health reform means for our state. The Business Council of New York State details what health reform means for the business community. There is also an internist's guide to federal health reform from the American College of Physicians.

The National Governors Association is also an excellent resource for Health Reform Implementation.