October 2018 Health Sector Economic Indicators Briefs

These monthly briefs analyze the most recent data available on health sector employment, spending, prices, and utilization—helping to fill gaps in the official government data.

Below are highlights from this month's report:

• At $2.68 trillion (seasonally adjusted annual rate), national health spending in August 2018 was 4.8% higher than it was in August 2017.
• Health care added 25,700 new jobs in September 2018, in line with the 12-month average of 25,100.
• Health care prices in September 2018 rose 1.7% above September 2017, the same as the August 2018 rate. 

These monthly briefs analyze the most recent data available on health sector employment, spending, prices, and utilization—helping to fill gaps in the official government data.

Below are highlights from this month's report:

• At $2.68 trillion (seasonally adjusted annual rate), national health spending in August 2018 was 4.8% higher than it was in August 2017.
• Health care added 25,700 new jobs in September 2018, in line with the 12-month average of 25,100.
• Health care prices in September 2018 rose 1.7% above September 2017, the same as the August 2018 rate.