Health Care System Challenges: Costs

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Health Care System Challenges: Costs

  • Despite containment efforts, health care spending continues to escalate:

    • National health expenditures (in nominal dollars) nearly doubled from 1990-2000.
    • Health expenditures continue to absorb a growing share of the national economy.
    • Public obligations threaten future federal and state budgets as well as the long-term health of the economy.