US health spending rises again, topping $6 trillion in 2026

Bob covers medical expenses, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His story delves into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and what executives actually earn. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob at Signal at bobjherman.09.

Americans are seeing doctors, undergoing hospital procedures, and filling prescriptions more often than economists and budget experts expected. Weight loss drugs, in particular, have morphed into their own specialized spending category, pushing budgets across the country to their limits.

New data shows that the health system has become a larger share of the economy as a result of a combination of increased medical volume and the country’s high standard prices. The findings once again reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with how unaffordable health care has become.

How many Americans can afford quality health care? New poll finds that number is decreasing

The country will spend $5.7 trillion on health care in 2025, an increase of 7.3% from 2024, according to the latest government figures published in the journal Health Affairs on Wednesday. This equates to approximately $16,500 per person.

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