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Health Care Spending Jumps 8.7%

The January/February 2003 issue of the journal Health Affairs reported that the amount of money spent on health care in the United States increased 8.7% in 2001, the largest increase in a decade.

In 2000, Americans spent $1.310 trillion on health care. In 2001 health care costs increased to $1.424 trillion. This averages out to about $5,035 per person.

The study found that health care is becoming more and more of a factor in the nation’s economy. In 2000, health care spending constituted 13.3% of the U.S. gross domestic product. In 2001 it increased to 14.1%, the largest increase since 1991.

Spending on prescription drugs in 2001 accounted for $140.6 billion of the total amount spent – a 15.7% growth rate over the previous year. Also in 2001, hospital spending went up 8.3% in comparison to 2000 – the fastest hospital spending has increased since 1991.

Commentary: After spending $1.424 trillion on “health” care (we consider it “disease” care), are we any healthier for it? Considering the fact that the “health care system” has become the third leading cause of death in the United States, we think not. We will only get healthier when we start to spend money on “health care” rather than “disease care.” Health care involves doing what it takes to keep your body functioning well: chiropractic care to remove nerve interference, positive mental attitude, good nutrition, water, food and exercise.

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