The most recent numbers on health care spending in the US – will it allow affordable health insurance in Brentwood

The most recent numbers show still only a slight increase of health care spending in the US, which could mean that affordable health insurance in Brentwood is possible.

In 2009, health spending increased only 3.8%, an all-time low. The 2010 increase was only slightly higher at 3.9%. This slow growth in 2010 health spending matched the growth in the economy as it recovered from recession, keeping health care’s share of GDP unchanged at 17.9%.In 2014, implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) will cause a spike in US health spending; analysts project an increase of 7.4% over 2013. This increase will break a near-decade-long period of slower growth for national health spending.

Highlights for 2010 include:

  • Nearly $2.6 trillion was spent on health care in the US in 2010, or $8,402 per person.
  • In 2010, the federal government became the largest financer of health care (29% of spending), surpassing households (28%) for the first time.
  • Spending on Medicare and Medicaid together consumed 23% of the federal budget and exceeded defense spending by three percentage points.
  • The federal government spent half of its revenues on health care, while health care costs consumed only 6% of personal income.
  • Public health insurance paid for 39% of the nation’s health care; private health insurance paid for one-third. Out-of-pocket spending by consumers accounted for 12%, a figure that has been declining for many years.

An interactive graphic shows the change in health care spending by payer from 1960 to 2010.

The interactive graph is quiet an eye opener, and makes it clear that you need to shop yearly for affordable health insurance in Brentwood.