August 2016 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

National health spending in June 2016 was 5.2% higher than in June 2015, totaling $3.36 trillion (seasonally adjusted annual rate). Health care prices in June 2016 were 1.6% higher than in June 2015, the highest rate since December 2014. The June 12-­month moving average was 1.3%, the highest level since July 2015. While still very low, these rates are clearly trending upward. And health care added 43,200 new jobs in July, above the 12-month average of 39,700 new jobs per month. Strong growth in hospital hiring put the July figure of 17,100 above the 12-month average of 15,300.