Health Sector Spending

We conduct research and identify strategies to bend the health care cost curve.

Health Sector Spending Solutions

Achieving Sustainable Health Spending

Health spending has grown faster than the economy for decades, resulting in growth of the health care share of national economic output (gross domestic product (GDP)) from about 7 percent in 1970 to approximately 18 percent today. This inexorable increase in health care spending is a problem for individuals, families, businesses, government, and the overall economic health of the country. This is particularly evident when viewing federal, state, and local government budgets. About half of health care spending is publicly financed, mostly through Medicare and Medicaid, and the current rate of growth for these programs is not sustainable as it crowds out other priorities, such as infrastructure needs or education.  A sustainable solution requires a long-term reduction in the health spending growth rate relative to GDP or “bending the health care cost curve.”

To identify trends and track progress toward sustainable growth, we regularly issue Health Sector Economic Indicators (HSEI). These monthly briefs analyze the most recent data available on health sector employment, spending, prices, and utilization—helping to fill gaps in the official government data.

We are assisted in these endeavors by our National Advisory Commitee. We've also held an annual symposium on sustainable health spending. View the latest on each below.

Health Sector Spending Publications

Featured Reports

December 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

Health spending growth and GDP growth are both moderating, health care price growth and economywide inflation continue to slow, and health care job growth remains strong across all major settings of care. 

December 15, 2022

November 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

National health spending growth continues to lag nominal GDP increases; health care price growth remains below slowing economywide inflation; health care wage growth has moderated somewhat; and health employment gains remain strong.

November 18, 2022

October 2022 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

National health spending is growing faster than the pre-pandemic pace but slower than economywide inflation, negative Medicare price growth is keeping health care inflation under control; and health care jobs have returned to the pre-pandemic level. 

October 21, 2022

Health Sector Spending Contact

Contact Us

George Miller

George Miller - PhD, BSE, MSE

Fellow and Research Team Leader

Areas of Expertise
  • Value of Health
  • Low-Value Care
  • Health Economics

Dr. George Miller is a fellow participating in Altarum's efforts to track national spending, analyze the drivers of spending growth, and quantify a sustainable spending growth rate. Dr. Miller received his BSE, MSE, and PhD degrees in industrial and operations engineering from the University of Michigan, where he subsequently served as an adjunct assistant professor.

Ani Turner

Ani Turner - MA

Program Director, Health Economics and Policy

Areas of Expertise
  • Health Spending
  • Health Equity
  • Health Workforce

With over 30 years of experience working with government, commercial, and philanthropic clients, Ani leads Altarum research and policy analyses in areas such as health spending and workforce and the economic impacts of investments in improving health and advancing racial equity. Ani holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s degree in applied economics with a concentration in labor economics, both from the University of Michigan.