A recent report from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality revealed that just 5 percent of Americans accounted for half of the $1.26 trillion healthcare spending in 2009, according to a
USA Today report.
In addition, the report showed that 1 percent of Americans accounted for 22 percent of healthcare costs in 2009. The numbers can provide healthcare providers and policy makers a better understanding of which populations are responsible for driving up healthcare costs and how to control those costs, according to the report.
Further analysis of AHRQ's study showed the top 1 percent of healthcare spenders is usually white, non-Hispanic women in poor health; the elderly; and individuals who only have access to publicly funded healthcare.
Related Articles on Healthcare Costs:
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Healthcare Spending Slowed in 2010; Grew Only 3.9% to $2.6T
