Who thinks that the aging Baby Boomers is going to affect health care?

Yes, definitely. I don’t think that the healthcare plans will have enough money to pay out for so many people.

It depends on which country you’re talking about. In some countries, the combination of a declining birth rate and taking care of an aging population could cripple the economy. Here in Germany, for example, the total population is expected to shrink by up to 17 million between now and 2050, with a 30% decline in the work force. And in Japan, by 2020, there will be three people earning pensions for every one child under 15; one-sixth of the population will soon be over 80; almost half by 2055.

I think the demographic situation in Europe and Japan is much worse than in the US, Canada, and Australia. In those countries, it might be a problem, but they will all also likely have growing work forces to support the elderly. In Europe and Japan, the population will age and the work force will decline to the point where it could cause a crisis. Health care and social services for the elderly in Germany and Japan could take up a third of the national budgets later this century.

This will also affect lots of regional relationships. For example, while Turkey’s population is young and growing, Greece’s is aging and shrinking rapidly too. Russia’s demographic situation currently looks very bad, while neighboring China’s population continues to climb to nearly a billion and a half.

Something that should be considered is that every once in a while, when the government realizes that life expectancy is longer, they bump up the retirement age a few years. But yes, regardless, it’s going to have effect, because as you said, people getting up to those ages will end up retiring out of need rather than government force, and ending up in homes on government money until they die. While this isn’t the right moral answer, and never will be, the logical answer would be not keeping the elderly alive past when they’re due. If you think about it, a lot of people would have passed away naturally if they weren’t hooked up to half a dozen machines and struggling for every minute.

i can tell you right now that the value of health care here in toronto is starting to get corrupted… it’s sad to know that money is above taking care of those who need it the most. the more money you have the better and quicker health care, attention and results you’ll get. leaving those who aren’t as fortunate on a waiting list.

as to colleens question i ditto what mandyloo has already mentioned.

If you think about it, that’s how it’s always been, butterfly. If you have money, you can pay for things. It really shouldn’t be that way with healthcare, or other basic needs for that matter, but unfortunately, people are just too corrupt for socialism to ever work.