October 2016 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

At a $3.40 trillion annual rate, national health spending in August 2016 was 5.5% higher than health spending in August 2015. In August 2016, health care prices were 1.9% higher than in August 2015. While only a 0.2 increase from July, prices are at their highest rate since October 2012. And health care added 32,700 jobs in September, less than the 12-month average of 37,000 jobs, but up from last month’s low August reading of 22,000. Hospital hiring grew by 7,000 jobs compared to its 12-month average of 13,000.