Study: Growth in healthcare spending lower than average

WASHINGTON - Total healthcare spending growth is expected to average 5.8% annually over 2015-2025, according to a report published July 13 by Health Affairs and authored by CMS's Office of the Actuary. Projected healthcare spending growth remains lower than the average over previous two decades before 2008 (nearly 8%). “The Affordable Care Act continues to help keep overall health spending growth at a modest level and at a lower growth rate than the previous two decades,” said CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt in a press release. “Per-capita spending and medical inflation also remain at historically very modest levels, demonstrating the importance of continuing to reform our delivery systems.” Overall, national health expenditures are estimated to have reached $3.2 trillion in 2015, according to the report.