Healthcare spending reductions improbable

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Jan. 6 (UPI) -- Healthcare is one of the strongest sectors of the ailing U.S economy, but achieving substantial cuts in medical spending is not probable, researchers said.

In 2007, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimated that healthcare spending in the United States reached $2.2 trillion -- and is projected to exceed $4 trillion by 2017.

Yet, a review of healthcare policy literature and position article reviews, published in the Journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, found despite far greater expenditures, U.S. hospitalization rates, lengths-of-stay and inpatient hospital beds are all lower than they are in other industrialized nations.

Americans pay higher prices for the same health services than citizens in other countries including Canada.

The study outlines steps that could be taken by the United States to reduce healthcare spending, however the study authors contend that unless Americans are willing to discuss and accept restrictions and/or limitations on healthcare, spending growth is unlikely to decrease.