Publications

Our research is used by government agencies, foundations, and others to advance better health policies and programs.

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April 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

April 21, 2022 | Economic Indicators

In this month’s data, we incorporate CMS health spending projections that show health spending grew by 4.2% in 2021; health care price and utilization growth remains low; and hiring slows in March.

March 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

March 18, 2022 | Economic Indicators

National health spending was lower in January 2022 than in December 2021; the gap between health care and economywide price growth sets a record; and health care hiring picks up in February 2022.

February 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

February 18, 2022 | Economic Indicators

National health spending grew by 3.4% in 2021 including pandemic-related federal government support, a jump in health care prices paid by private insurance is offset by a Medicare price slowdown, and health care employment started 2022 with modest growth.

January 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

January 21, 2022 | Economic Indicators

Spending growth since the start of the pandemic reflects significant federal government support; price growth has picked up but remains well below economywide inflation; and employment grew slowly in 2021 and only in ambulatory care settings.

December 2021 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

December 23, 2021 | Economic Indicators

In this month’s Health Sector Economic Indicators briefs, we incorporate new CMS health expenditure data for 2020 and show the impact of federal spending on near-record growth, while healthcare prices rise slightly and 2021's labor trends persist.

November 2021 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

November 16, 2021 | Economic Indicators

With high GDP growth, health spending stabilizes near 17.5% of GDP, health care price growth remains low amid continued increases in economy-wide inflation, and jobs in ambulatory care continue to grow amid strong economy-wide job growth.

October 2021 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

October 19, 2021 | Economic Indicators

Health spending surpasses $4 trillion while its share GDP share continues to fall, economywide inflation continues to overshadow health care price growth, and health care employment falls—driven by hospitals and residential care.

September 2021 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

September 17, 2021 | Economic Indicators

National health spending growth remains modest, health sector price growth slows for most categories, and health care employment falls slightly—remaining 3.1% below February 2020.