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Back to To the Point

To the Point

Healthcare Spending Is on the Decline, but at What Cost?

The good news is that America's historic expansion of healthcare spending has slowed to its lowest rate in 51 years, though that could change fast. The reason for the decline is the recession, which left millions unemployed, uninsured and less able or less willing to pay for doctors, hospitals and drugs.

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By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

The good news is that America's historic expansion of healthcare spending has slowed to its lowest rate in 51 years, though that could change fast. The reason for the decline is the recession, which left millions unemployed, uninsured and less able or less willing to pay for doctors, hospitals and drugs. Maybe they're just eliminating unnecessary care. However, if they're foregoing what they really need, they could get sicker and require much more in the future. We ask consumers why they've cut back and ask experts, will spending go up again when the economy improves?

www.kcrw.com/insight.

  • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

    Warren Olney

    former KCRW broadcaster

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    Anna Scott

    Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter

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    Caitlin Shamberg

    KCRW

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    Katie Cooper

    Producer, 'One year Later'

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    Joanna Worthington

    uninsured massage therapist

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    Susan Dentzer

    Health Affairs journal

  • KCRW placeholder

    Doug Holtz-Eakin

    American Action Forum

    NewsNationalPolitics
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