What exactly is healthcare? In today's economy, healthcare can become very expensive for some people (Kimbuende, Eric p.1). Healthcare costs have been increasing for several years and continue today (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). Spending in the United States exceeded $2.3 trillion in 2008(Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). Total healthcare spending grew at an annual rate of 4.4% in 2008 (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). This growth has become a major problem for our government, employers, and consumers who increasingly struggle to keep up with healthcare costs (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). Although Americans benefit from many of their investments in health care, recent rapid cost growth, combined with an overall economic slowdown and rising federal deficits, are straining the systems used to finance health care ( Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). Excessive health care costs are causing more problems for the poor and middle class (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). One problem that is fueling our healthcare shortage is spending on technology and prescription drugs (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1 ). For several years, spending on new medical technologies and prescription drugs has been cited as a major factor contributing to increases in overall healthcare spending (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). “New drugs and technology increase healthcare costs because they generate consumer demand for very expensive services.” Even though healthcare costs related to technology and drugs have decreased over the course of a couple of years, they are still a problem in our society (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). Another thing that affects our healthcare costs is chronic diseases (Kimbuende, Eric pg.1). 76% of Medicare spending goes to patients with five or more chronic diseases…half of paper…pharmaceuticals and medical devices will help improve the nation's healthcare costs (Hoppe, Hans Hermann p. 1). Works CitedHealthcare problems and solutions. 1998. Luksik action. September 13, 2011.http://www.constitutional.net/Luksik/health.htmlHoppe, Hans Hermann. “A four-step healthcare solution.” 2009. The free market. September 13, 2011. http://mises.org/freemarket_detail.aspx?control=279Kimbuende, Eric. “Healthcare Costs in the United States.” KaiserEDU.org. March 2010:1-3. September 19, 2011. http://www.Kaiserebu.org/us-Health-care-cost.org Swartz, Kimberly. Monitoring healthcare costs. 2011. The Hastings Centre. October 19, 2011.http://healthcarecostmonitor.thehastingscenter.org/kimberlyswartz/projected-costs-of-chronic-diseases/Ways to Improve Healthcare system. 2009. Rediff India Abroad. October 19, 2011. http://www.rediff.com/money/2007/jul/23health1/htm