National health expenditures, 1985

Area of Science:

• Health Economics
• National Health Expenditures Analysis

Background:

• In 1985, slower price inflation impacted national health expenditure growth.
• Underlying trends in the utilization of health goods and services persisted.
• National health spending represented 10.7% of the Gross National Product (GNP).

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the trends in national health expenditures in 1985.
• To examine the components of health spending, including utilization and cost containment efforts.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of national health expenditure data for 1985.
• Comparison of spending trends with Gross National Product (GNP) growth.
• Examination of shifts in healthcare service utilization and provider profits.

Main Results:

• Slower price inflation led to moderated growth in national health expenditures.
• Despite a decrease in hospital service utilization, hospital profits increased.
• Utilization of other healthcare services rose.
• Cost containment efforts by both public and private sectors continued.

Conclusions:

• National health spending's share of GNP reached 10.7% due to persistent utilization trends and slower GNP growth.
• Shifts in healthcare utilization and rising hospital profits characterized spending patterns.
• Ongoing cost containment measures impact both healthcare providers and consumers.