Health Care Costs

This document summarizes a presentation on rising health care costs given to the Joint Commission on Health Care. It outlines that health care costs have been increasing at an average rate of 9.8% annually since 1970. The highest costs are concentrated among the sickest 10% of the population. While health insurance premiums continue to rise more slowly than in the past, they still outpace inflation and wage growth. Efforts to control costs include promoting consumer directed health plans, disease management programs, and reducing medical errors through health information technology.