US healthcare: Technology over affordability

"Americans are spending a third more on healthcare than comparable nations and are set to spend even more, an adviser to three American presidents told a recent conference of medical insurers, organised by the International Federation of Health Plans.[...] Prof Altman became a health policy adviser to President Nixon at the age of 32, and performed a similar role for Presidents Reagan and Clinton. He said that if there was any doubt about how the 1960s 'baby boomers' were going to increase pressure on healthcare budgets, one had to look no further than Bill Clinton, who would be 65 in 2011. He had already undergone a heart bypass - and he was an example of what the future held, with longer lifespans requiring more surgical procedures." "Money Hasn't Bought Long Life, Says Health Adviser to Presidents" Telegraph.co.uk UK