Healthcare spending growth remains slow

Healthcare spending saw its second consecutive year of slow growth in 2010, mostly due to the poor economy, according to government analysts.

Spending on healthcare grew by 3.9% in 2010, only 0.1% faster than in 2009, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Spending for physician and clinical services grew by 2.5%, down from 3.3% in 2009. Prices were relatively stable, but growth in use and intensity declined, driven by a drop in physician visits. Total health spending for 2010 was $2.6 trillion, or $8,402 per person.

Results of the CMS study were published in the January issue of the journal Health Affairs.