More people are living longer but with chronic conditions or disabilities. And with the aging of the Baby Boomers, the number of persons with chronic conditions is expected to soar.
Already, the cost of medical care for persons with chronic conditions in the U.S. is astronomical – in excess of a trillion dollars a year. Both Medicare and Medicaid spending for medical and long term care is staggeringly high and a huge burden on federal and state budgets.
Current models for care are unequal to the challenges of rising demand and soaring costs of health care.
New ways must be found to promote consumer self-care and delivery cost-effective community-based health, mental health and long term care services.