U.S. Health Care Spending Grows 3.9% In 2011

Health care spending in the United States grew 3.9% in 2011 to reach $2.7 trillion; this represents 17.9% of the nominal gross domestic product (GDP). The growth rate remained stable; 2009 and 2010 had growth rates around 3% as well. Per person health care spending averaged $8,680 in 2011. In 2010, the national health expenditure was $2.6 billion. Per person health care spending averaged $8,417. These findings were reported in “National Health Expenditures 2011 Highlights" by actuaries with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Each year, the CMS Office of the Actuary . . .