Health Spending Rises as Tax Drives Surge in Insurance Costs: HHS

U.S. health-care spending grew to $3.6 trillion in 2018, or $11,172 per person, the Department of Health and Human Services reported Dec. 5.

The 4.6% growth rate, faster than the 4.2% growth rate in 2017, was driven by spending for health insurance, much of which was due to the reinstatement of the Obamacare tax on health plans after a moratorium in 2017, according to the authors of a report from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, part of the HHS.

The report will likely be used by insurers who have pushed to get rid of the Affordable ...