Sustainable U.S. Health Spending: Serious Issues—Sound Policy Solutions

With stronger economic growth and modest success in controlling U.S. health care spending, there is room for optimism in realizing a sustainable future. Nevertheless, cost pressures come from multiple directions: new and expensive specialty drugs; novel medical devices and procedures to aid those with chronic conditions; growing long-term care needs; higher wages stimulated by provider shortages; price pressure due to consolidation; and destabilizing insurance markets. Will the health system respond by effectively controlling spending and reducing waste and low-value care? Or, will lower costs be obtained only by restricting insurance coverage?

Altarum's 8th annual sustainable health spending symposium, which took place on July 12, 2018 in Washington DC, featured a distinguished panel of experts who sought to address to these questions. If you were unable to attend the conference or would like a revisit the material in greater detail, you can download a full symposium monograph of the event, or view our video recording of the event.

For any questions, please contact Paul Hughes-Cromwick.