Health care prices in January 2013 were 1.5 percent higher than in January 2012, the lowest reading since a 1.3 percent rate in December 1997. The 12-month moving average at 2 percent is also the lowest since a 1.9 percent figure recorded in November 1998, new analysis finds.

National health expenditures in January 2013 grew at an annual rate of 4.1 percent relative to January 2012, the same rate as for December—a level that would signify the fifth consecutive year of moderate spending growth, according to Altarum Institute's Center for Sustainable Health Spending.

Health care employment rose by 32,000 jobs in February 2013, surpassing the 24-month average of 24,000, but January was revised down to 13,000 from its originally reported figure of 23,000, the report said.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to BenefitsPRO, part of your ALM digital membership.

  • Critical BenefitsPRO information including cutting edge post-reform success strategies, access to educational webcasts and videos, resources from industry leaders, and informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM, BenefitsPRO magazine and BenefitsPRO.com events
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com
NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.