Health care spending continues to grow faster than the rest of the U.S. economy, albeit at a slower rate than in past years, according to the latest data from Altarum's Center for Sustainable Health Spending. The Affordable Care Act's expansion of insurance, along with the continued rise of deductibles, has pushed more patients (and dollars) into outpatient settings and doctors' offices instead of hospitals.
Data: Altarum's Center for Sustainable Health Spending; Chart: Andrew Witherspoon / Axios
Two more trends: Prescription drug spending also is slowing down, but people are still feeling the sting at the pharmacy counter. The area where spending has grown the fastest in the past year, other than health insurance administration: home health.