Interview
Dr. Zeke Emanuel: Oncologist and Bioethicist
- Unnecessary care costs are projected to exceed $150 billion by approximately 2019, surpassing the 2009 National Academy of Medicine estimate.
- If Medicaid expansion had occurred in Texas, Florida, Georgia, and 13 other states, at least 3.5 million additional individuals (1% of the population) would have gained coverage.
- Exchange premiums decreased by 1.5% in the year preceding the 2017 interview, signaling progress in cost control.
- Medicare Advantage enrollment among seniors is forecast to rise to 40% over the next few years.
- The healthcare system is expected to evolve toward a structure maintaining traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and employer-sponsored insurance while integrating Medicaid and exchanges into Medicare.
- Drug price regulation is anticipated to commence in early 2021.
- A $1 million drug treatment is expected to occur in 2019, potentially triggering significant systemic shock and mobilization.
- With basic necessities and child-rearing costs deducted from a $2.1 million lifetime earnings average, disposable income is estimated at $600,000 to $650,000.
- Society should allocate 11% of this disposable income to pharmaceuticals, establishing a price cap near $75,000 per treatment.
- Pricing drugs at the level of average lifetime earnings ($2.1 million) for BA degree holders is deemed unethical and systemically unsustainable.