By 2017 United States health care spending is expected to reach over $4.3 trillion and account for 19.5% of US gross domestic product. This estimate appears in an analysis prepared by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released on Tuesday.
In 2006, health care costs accounted for 16% of the GDP, and they are projected to account for 16.3% in 2007.
“Making sure we are paying for high quality health care services, not just the number of services provided, is just one of the most critical issues facing the American public and the federal government now and in the future,” says CMS acting administrator, Kerry Weems.
The analysis includes an expected annual growth in health spending (for 2007-2017) topping the growth of the overall economy (4.9%) and general inflation (2.4%).
The full report is published online in the journal Health Affairs.
