U.S. health care spending rises again, to top $6 trillion in 2026

Bob covers the money in health care, focusing on health insurance and hospitals. His stories delve into Medicare Advantage, opaque prescription drug benefits, and how much executives actually make. He is also the author of the Health Care Inc. newsletter. You can reach Bob on Signal at bobjherman.09.

Americans are visiting doctors, undergoing hospital procedures, and obtaining prescriptions more often than economists and budget analysts had expected. In particular, spending on weight loss drugs has emerged as a unique category, straining budgets nationwide.

With the rise in healthcare services combined with the country’s already high prices, the healthcare sector now occupies a larger portion of the economy, according to new data. These findings underscore the widespread dissatisfaction among people with the affordability of healthcare.

The nation spent $5.7 trillion on healthcare in 2025, reflecting a 7.3% rise from 2024, based on the latest government data published in the journal Health Affairs on Wednesday. This equates to nearly $16,500 per individual.

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