CNN December 5, 2019
American households spent more than $1 trillion on health care in 2018, reaching a pricey milestone, according to federal data released Thursday.
That includes out-of-pocket expenses for medical services and premiums for employer coverage, individual policies and Medicare, as well as Medicare payroll taxes. The figure grew by 4.4% from a year earlier.
The data — part of the National Health Expenditure report — comes as Americans, elected officials and presidential candidates try to tame the rising cost of health care. The issue is a top priority for President Donald Trump and has split the Democrats primary contenders.
Progressive candidates such as Sens. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts argue that the best way...