Healthcare costs grew at near-record lows in 2011

Healthcare costs grew at near-record lows in 2011
By Sam Baker - 01/07/13 04:08 PM ET


Healthcare spending grew at near-record lows in 2011, according to data released Monday by the Health and Human Services Department.

HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius credited parts of President Obama's signature healthcare law with the smaller increase.

"A number of provisions in the health care law that will help control costs and spending are still being implemented, but the statistics show how the Affordable Care Act is already making a difference," Sebelius said in a statement.

Healthcare spending grew by 3.9 percent last year, according to the latest report on national health expenditures. The rate matches increases in 2009 and 2010, and it's the lowest rate of growth in the 52 years the report has been issued.

"The Affordable Care Act helps us to avoid the runaway growth in health care spending of the last decade, keep down costs for consumers, and ensure better health and better access to health care for millions of Americans," Sebelius said.

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http://thehill.com/blogs/healthwatch/other/275963-2011-saw-slow-growth-in-healthcare-spending