U.S. Health Care Expenditures Higher Than Any Country Worldwide

The United States spends more on health care, both per capita and as a share of gross domestic product (GDP), than any other country in the world. In 2009, U.S. spending on health care reached a record high $2.5 trillion, or 17.6% percent of U.S. GDP. The $2.5 trillion was $200 billion less than expected from the cost growth rates during 2003 through 2006. However, when U.S. spending is compared to other developed countries, the $2.5 trillion was $572 billion higher than expected based on the other countries’ per capita spending and percentage . . .