Exploring Health Care Spending: Behavioral Health Spending Share of National Health Expenditure Declines

OPEN MINDS The Behavioral Health & Social Service Industry Analyst

Industry Statistics

The share of spending on behavioral health services and medications as part of the overall national health spending has dropped from 9.3% in 1986, to 7.3% in 2005. In 2005 behavioral health spending accounted for approximately 7.3% (about $135 billion) of the $1.85 trillion spent on all health care services in the United States.

During the 20-year study period, both mental health and substance abuse spending grew more . . .