Overview
- Health outlays equaled 18% of GDP in 2024, up from 17.7% in 2023, as spending growth outpaced the broader economy.
- Hospital care reached $1.6 trillion, up 8.9%, with physician and clinical services up 8.1% to $1.1 trillion and retail prescription drugs up 7.9% to $467 billion.
- ACA marketplace enrollment rose over 30% to about 21.1 million people, increasing federal subsidy costs and expanding private coverage.
- The federal government was the largest sponsor of health spending at roughly $1.7 trillion, reflecting higher Medicare outlays and greater marketplace support.
- Medicaid eligibility reviews reduced enrollment but raised per‑enrollee spending by 16.6% and drove administrative costs higher, including a 19.8% jump in Medicaid administration within a 14.7% overall increase.