What's the future for healthcare?

One week from today, the American people will know who their leader is for the next four years. The future president has a huge impact on the future of Medicare. So what are their views on what to do? Whoever wins is up for a challenge, as Medicare spending has increased 40% in the past four years, from $309 billion in 2003 up to $431 billion in 2007. Not to mention, Medicare Part A is set to be bankrupt by 2019.

So what do the two presidential candidates have in mind to turn Medicare around? CBS News covers their plans here. John McCain wants to group together payments to providers into one large sum for better quality care than paying companies on a case-by-case treatment and test basis. He also looks to make those who make over $80,000 a year pay a larger percentage of their own prescriptions. For more on his platform, read here.

On the other hand, Barack Obama wants to allow Medicare negotiate with pharma companies to allow bring down prices of care, as the Vetrans Association currently does. For an in-depth look at Obama's Medicare platform, read here.

“Billing balance” stirs up controversy

Business Week recently collaborated with the CBS Evening News educate the nation on the nature of “billing balance.” When an insurance company covers less of the medical payments than doctors want them to, they turn to the customer for the rest of the payment. Since patients think that their unpaid bills will turn their credit bad, many automatically pay the bills. This has resulted in patients paying $1 billion more a year in medical bills than they’re supposed to. The California Association believes that 1.76 million policy holders paid $5.28 million more than they were suppose to, including 56% of those who were billed