Cost of Health Care

Why Is Healthcare So Expensive?

If you wonder why healthcare costs so much, you'll find answers here. And if you're looking for ways to keep from spending so much on your healthcare, we may have some useful tips for you.

Healthcare Costs Today

Healthcare spending in the United States for 2008 jumped about 6.9 percent - two times the rate of inflation - to $2.4 trillion. But the cost increases show no signs of slowing. Spending is expected to increase at this level for the next decade. By 2018, experts predict U.S. healthcare expenses will reach more than $4.3 trillion.

An estimated 90 percent of that $2.4 trillion in 2008 went for care after patients were already sick - not for preventing disease and illness. So there's a big opportunity for savings if we can just find ways to stay healthy.

The good news? Experts say, 75 percent of all healthcare expenses - for things like heart disease, stroke, and diabetes - could be eliminated with daily exercise and good nutrition.

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