National Health Spending Almanac — 2026 Edition

In 2024, national health spending reached $5.3 trillion, or $15,474 per person. Spending grew 7.2% in 2024, similar to growth in 2023 (7.4%) and higher than the 10-year average (5.8%). Health spending growth in 2024 was driven mainly by increases in the use and intensity of health care goods and services. Health spending accounted for 18.0% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024.

Key Findings

• Health spending growth (7.2%) outpaced GDP growth (5.3%) in 2024.
• Health spending per person rose 6.1% in 2024, compared to 6.5% in 2023.
• The federal government financed the largest share of health spending (31%). Households contributed 28%, private businesses 18%, and state and local governments 16%.
• Hospital care and physician and clinical services accounted for just over half of all health spending (52%). Spending in these categories increased 8.9% and 8.1%, respectively, in 2024.
• Prescription drug spending increased 7.9% in 2024, down from 10.8% growth in 2023.
• Public health insurance programs accounted for 43% of national health spending: Medicare (21%), Medicaid (18%), and other public programs (4%).
• Total Medicare spending increased 7.8% over 2023 levels, while spending per enrollee rose 5.4%.
• Total Medicaid spending rose 6.6% in 2024. Per enrollee spending increased 16.6%, despite an 8.6% decline in enrollment.
• State and local government Medicaid spending increased 19.2%, due in part to the phasing out of enhanced federal Medicaid payments to states.
• Private health insurance accounted for 31% of health spending and increased 8.8%.
• Consumers’ out-of-pocket spending rose 5.6% in 2024, down from the 6.8% increase in 2023. Out-of-pocket spending — including copays, deductibles, and services and goods not covered by insurance — accounted for 11% of national health spending.
• Per enrollee spending in 2024 was $8,000 for employer-sponsored health insurance, $7,080 for Marketplace insurance, $11,050 for Medicaid, and $16,779 for Medicare.

The quick reference guide on national health spending is available for download below.

These materials are part of CHCF’s California Health Care Almanac, an online clearinghouse for key data and analyses describing California’s health care landscape. To explore previous editions of this Almanac, contact us.

Authors & Contributors