Health Affairs July 10, 2025
Over the past two decades, US policy makers have been concerned about steady growth in health care spending. This spending growth has contributed to federal deficits and the national debt while also crowding out spending on other priorities.
In nominal terms, total national health expenditures almost doubled between 2009 and 2023, growing from $2.5 trillion to $4.9 trillion. Patients and their families have experienced growing out-of-pocket costs over this period, causing health care to account for a growing share of household budgets for most Americans.
When health care spending is measured as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP), though, it has been largely stable during this period, accounting for 17–18 percent of the GDP each year, excluding a temporary...
Today's Sponsors
Today's Sponsor