AHIP Statement on National Health Expenditure Data

AHIP released a statement from its CEO and President Karen Ignagni on the release of the National Health Expenditure data.

“While lower health care cost growth is a welcome development for families and employers, much more needs to be done to ensure that this trend continues as the economy rebounds.

“The public policy discussion needs to focus on the real driver of health care spending: rising prices for medical care. In fact, the data show that nearly three-fourths of the increase in personal health spending was due to higher prices for medical services and products.

“The portion of premiums allocated to health plans’ administrative costs was the second lowest in the last nine years, despite the fact that health plans have been incurring new compliance and regulatory costs related to the health care reform law.”