Maryland Health Care: The Boomer Impact

Posted on: Friday, 25 July 2008, 09:01 CDT By Danielle Ulman The baby boom ended more than 40 years ago, but as that generation marches boldly into its 60s -- and into the nation's hospitals -- the health care system will feel the ripple effect. The first boomers turned 60 in 2006, setting off concerns about the readiness of the medical community to handle the influx of aging patients likely headed their way over the next 20 years. Many in Maryland's medical field are bracing themselves for the impact the state's 1.55 million aging baby boomers could bring. Hospitals are expanding programs and facilities, medical groups are angling to make the state more physician friendly, and lawmakers have passed legislation to get a commission on boomers going. "In hospitals, in terms of growing larger and making changes, they all have to... [read full story]