By: Conner Strong & Buckelew, January 6, 2017

U.S. healthcare spending grew 5.8% in 2015 to $3.2 trillion, which translates to an average of $9,990 per person, according to a paper published in the December 2016 issue of Health Affairs. Healthcare spending accounted for 17.8% of the country’s gross domestic product. The Affordable Care Act accelerated growth in spending on private health insurance (7.2%), hospital care (5.6%) and physician and clinical services (6.3%), according to the paper.

This continuing trend speaks to the need for comprehensive action by employers and plan sponsors in the area of cost containment, population health and other approaches to stabilize cost. If the present trajectory continues, healthcare costs will continue to consume a disproportionate amount of the business economy and ultimately force businesses to take more drastic measures.