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National health expenditures, 1991
S W Letsch1, H C Lazenby, K R Levit
1Health Care Financing Administration.
Health Care Financing Review
|December 4, 1992
Summary
National health expenditures reached $751.8 billion in 1991, marking an 11.4% increase. This rise led to healthcare consuming a record 13.2% of the US GDP, driven by strong sector growth.
Area of Science:
- Health Economics
- Public Health Policy
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- National health expenditures (NHE) represent a significant portion of the US economy.
- Understanding trends in healthcare spending is crucial for economic and policy analysis.
- The year 1991 saw unique economic conditions influencing healthcare costs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present updated estimates of US health spending for 1991.
- To analyze the factors contributing to the significant growth in Medicaid expenditures.
- To identify and discuss recent trends within the hospital sector.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of national health expenditure data for 1991.
- Examination of economic indicators and their relationship to healthcare spending.
- Review of trends in Medicaid and hospital sector performance.
Main Results:
- Total health spending reached $751.8 billion in 1991, an 11.4% increase from 1990.
- National health expenditures as a share of GDP rose to 13.2%, the largest increase in three decades.
- Medicaid expenditures experienced unusually large growth, alongside notable trends in the hospital sector.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare spending grew substantially in 1991, outpacing overall economic growth.
- The increasing share of GDP dedicated to healthcare highlights its growing economic significance.
- Further analysis is needed to understand the drivers of Medicaid growth and hospital sector dynamics.