We'd like to take that a step further and talk about the rising cost of health care and your premium dollars. M any of you have seen the articles in newspapers and magazines that speak to this very issue - the rising cost of medical care. Costs have risen across the board for all of us. Claim costs are not rising because of any one group of subscribers or any particular area of medicine. They are just rising and we are all feeling the crunch.
T here are many things that contribute to the increase in premium.
The CVT staff and Board feel that all of you should be aware of what is affecting your health care dollar. T he cost of prescription drugs has been a big factor in the increase cost of health care. P eople are living longer and therefore are requiring more health care. M edical science has developed many new treatments and surgical procedures that are keeping people alive longer and in better health overall - even for those with chronic disease or illnesses. I ncluded in those developments are advanced medical technology and devices that are used as diagnostic tools and even in surgical procedures.