Baltimore Checkbook: Maryland sees low health care spending hikes as national rates grow

Tuesday, November 22, 2016

Maryland sees low health care spending hikes as national rates grow

Health care spending for the privately insured increased 4.6 percent in 2015 nationally, but Maryland had one of the lowest for state spending rates. A new report from the Health Care Cost Institute revealed prices for outpatient, inpatient and professional care, and prescription drugs increased between 3.5 percent and 9 percent in 2015. Overall spending grew 3.0 percent in 2013 and 2.6 percent in 2014. Of 18 states — including Washington, D.C. — selected for individual analysis, Maryland was…