National health care spending totaled $4.3 trillion in 2021, or $12,914 per person. The Almanac report provides a detailed look at national health care spending.

Over the past 60 years, the way health care is financed has changed, with public insurance paying for more care. This graphic shows who paid for health care and how much it cost.

Health Care Costs 101: Federal Spending on COVID-19 Drives Growth provides a detailed look at national health care spending in 2020.

This issue brief documents efforts in eight states that have established new independent commissions or increased the authority of an existing regulatory body to monitor and limit unnecessary growth in health spending.

Physician services account for 20% of total health care spending. Yet information about the structure, characteristics, and financing of physician practices is piecemeal and often not publicly available. This paper reviews available information sources on the physician practice landscape in California with a focus on existing regulatory and reporting requirements.

In California, both state and federal laws impose provider network adequacy standards on health plans to ensure that the plans provide meaningful access to health care for enrollees. Yet these standards may put plans at a competitive disadvantage when negotiating contracts with providers such as specialists in short supply. This issue brief outlines considerations for policymakers.

Most California health care markets are highly concentrated, with hospital markets in particular approaching monopoly levels in many counties. Studies show that mergers of health care companies result in increased prices for services. This report compiles evidence about consolidation and provides potential considerations for policymakers.