Health care spending in America, in two graphs

Spending on health care in the U.S. has risen from seven cents every dollar spent in 1970 to 18 cents of every dollar spent in 2010. Over the last 40 years, where all of that money is going—drugs, hospitals, doctors, nursing homes and caretakers, etc.—has not changed much. What has, however, is where the money is coming from. In 1970s, the biggest share of health care spending was out of pocket. Today, insurance of one form or another covers almost everything as coverage has become more comprehensive, especially for things like drugs. Trends toward higher deductibles and coinsurance for employer-based plans may begin got change that. But until it does, check out this story’s compelling graphs for a look at how health care spending has shifted.