12/15/2014
Year-over-year hospital prices grew 1.1% in October, the lowest increase since September 1998, according to the latest economic indicators from Altarum Institute’s Center for Sustainable Health Spending. “The low growth rate was the main reason the [Health Care Price Index] fell, as most other categories saw increases,” the Center said. Prices for prescription drugs grew 4.1% in October, the fastest rate for the health categories. National health spending grew 4.7% for the first 10 months of 2014, while growth in the health services portion of the estimate remained “at a modest 3.6% annual rate,” the Center said. Health sector employment continues to accelerate this year, with 28,900 new jobs in November and upward revisions totaling 5,000 for the previous two months, according to the indicators. Hospitals added 4,300 jobs in November, well above the 24-month average of 1,400.
Source: AHA News
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