U.S. Health Spending Hits $3.03 Trillion In 2014, 5.3% Over 2013

In 2014, U.S. health care spending reached $3.0 trillion, a 5.3% increase over 2013. Per capita spending on health care in 2014 was $9,523. The $3.0 trillion represents 17.5% of the U.S. GDP. The 2014 growth rate is attributed by the National Health Expenditure Accounts Team in the Office of the Actuary at the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to the coverage expansions that took effect under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, as well as the introduction of new drugs to treat hepatitis C. Spending by the federal . . .