Why Costs are Rising

It’s been on the news and if you’re like most Americans, on your mind. It’s the high cost of health care in this country.

In 2003, Americans spent an estimated $1.67 trillion on health care,* more than 15% of the Gross Domestic Product. That's more than was spent on housing, food, national defense, or automobile costs. If spending continues at this pace, health care costs are expected to reach $3 trillion by 2012.*

National Health Expenditures as a Share of GDP



*Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, (CMS)