In 2000 our National Debt was abt 5 trillion, today it is at 37+ trillion. The simple math, in the last 25 yrs we have added > ONE TRILLION/YR to our national debt. When during our first 175 yrs we only amassed 5 TRILLION in a national debt.
Now many of chronic pain pts who are now getting money for Medicare Disability, Medicaid or some other disability insurance, that if they had their opioid pain management back they could be employed and be a productive part of our society?
Medicare disability for people < 65 y/o started in 1972. So between 1965 & 1972, many benefits were added to the SS system – that it was not originally planned for paying out for.
What would be expected in the change in the pt’s life expectancy under such circumstances of reduced/stopped opioid pain management and substantial increase in BP?
If a patient dies 7 years earlier due to abrupt opioid cessation and uncontrolled hypertension, the total expenditures from Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, insurance, and the potential tax revenue they might generate if “healthy” and employed would decrease substantially over those lost years.
### Estimated System Savings Due to Early Death
#### Social Security
– Average annual Social Security benefit for retirees: ranges from $21,900 to $23,988 per year.[1][2][3]
– 7-year reduction: $$ 7 \times \$22,000 = \$154,000 $$ not paid by Social Security.
#### Medicare
– Average annual Medicare spending per elderly beneficiary: $10,000–$19,000 depending on age, increasing as patient ages.[4][5]
– Using an average of ~$15,000/year: $$ 7 \times \$15,000 = \$105,000 $$ saved in Medicare expenses.
#### Medicaid & Long-Term Care
– Average long-term care cost per year (Indiana): about $70,000 in a nursing facility; Medicaid pays when assets are exhausted.[6][7]
– If Medicaid coverage is used at any point: 7 years at full coverage $$ 7 \times \$70,000 = \$490,000 $$ saved for those in long-term care—less if not continuously institutionalized.
#### Private Insurance
– End expenditures for any ongoing insurance claims (variable, but typically much less than government spending unless catastrophic needs).
### Potential Lost Tax Revenue (If Healthy and Employed)
– Average annual federal taxes collected per person:
– Income tax: ~$7,900/year[8]
– Payroll tax: ~$4,500/year[8]
– Total: ~$12,400/year federal (not including state/local).
– 7 years of lost productivity: $$ 7 \times \$12,400 = \$86,800 $$ in direct federal tax revenue not generated, per working individual.
#### Additional Notes
– If the person was gainfully employed, additional state/local taxes, excise taxes (from consumption), and indirect contributions (e.g., Medicare/SS trust fund contributions) would add several thousand dollars more per year.[9][8]
– Healthier individuals also tend to incur lower annual health care costs, which further amplifies system savings, but the above focuses only on direct expenditure changes
Filed under: General Problems
Leave a Reply