While Congress debates the fine points of the expected new health care legislation bill, the cost of health care continues to rise. As a percentage of the typical U.S. household budget, health care costs have risen from 5.3% to 5.9% in the past 10 years. To keep pace with demand, employment continues to rise in this sector, despite the general economic slowdown. Overall, private sector health care employment stands at 11.6% of total private sector employment.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, continued growth is expected in several health care-related professions. These include:

• Registered Nurses
• Home Health Aides
• Nursing Aides
• Personal and Home Health Care Attendants
• Medical Assistants

As the U.S. population continues to age, the demand for health care professionals is expected to rise. This trend will increase business activity in the following industries:

• Education services
• Employment services

Education services will be marketing to young adults who may just be completing high school and are seeking certification in a health care field. Older adults who want to pursue a new career in health care and require retraining also represent potential candidates for education services. As all of these newly trained professionals emerge from degree and certificate programs they’ll require placement. Look for employment services to market their expertise in both recruiting and placing individuals in the health care field in 2010 and beyond.

[Source: Health Care release, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Fall 2009]