What exactly is healthcare? In today's economy, health care can become very expensive for some people (Kimbuende, Eric p. 1). Health care costs have been increasing for several years and continue today (Kimbuende, Eric p.1). Spending in the United States exceeded $2.3 trillion in 2008 (Kimbuende, Eric, p. 1). Total health spending increased at an annual rate of 4.4 percent in 2008 (Kimbuende, Eric p.1). This growth has become a major problem for our government, employers and consumers who are finding it increasingly difficult to meet health care costs (Kimbuende, Eric p. 1). Although Americans benefit from much of their investments in health care, recent rapid cost growth, coupled with an overall economic slowdown and a growing federal deficit, is putting severe strain on the systems used to finance health care. health care (Kimbuende, Eric, p. 1). The excessive cost of health care causes more problems for the poor and middle class individuals (Kimbuende, Eric p. 1). One problem fueling our health care deficit is spending on technology and prescription drugs (Kimbuende, Eric p. 1). ). For several years, spending on new medical technologies and prescription drugs has been cited as one of the main contributors to the increase in overall health care spending (Kimbuende, Eric p. 1). “New drugs and technologies increase health care costs because they generate consumer demand for intensive and expensive services. » Even though the cost of health care related to technology and drugs has decreased over the years, it remains a problem in our society (Kimbuende, Eric p. 1). Another thing that affects our healthcare costs is chronic illness (Kimbuende, Eric p. 1). Eric p.1). Seventy-six percent of Medicare spending goes to patients with five or more chronic conditions... middle of paper ...... pharmaceuticals and medical devices will help improve the nation's health care costs (Hoppe, Hans Hermann p. 1).Works CitedHealth care problems and solutions. 1998. Action Luksik. September 13, 2011. http://www.constitutional.net/Luksik/health.htmlHoppe, Hans Hermann. “A four-step healthcare solution. » 2009. The free market. September 13, 2011. http://mises.org/freemarket_detail.aspx?control=279Kimbuende, Eric. “Cost of health care in the United States. » KaiserEDU.org. March 2010: 1-3. September 19, 2011. http://www.Kaiserebu.org/us-Health-care-cost.orgSwartz, Kimberly. Healthcare Cost Monitor. 2011. The Hastings Centre. October 19, 2011. http://healthcarecostmonitor.thehastingscenter.org/kimberlyswartz/projected-costs-of-chronic-diseases/Ways to Improve the Health Care System. 2009. Rediff India Abroad. October 19, 2011. http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jul/23health1/htm