Experts Unsure of Reasons for Decline in Health Cost Growth
A consistent and sharp decline in the growth of health care costs in recent years has helped reduce the federal deficit, but health care economists say they are unsure of the reasons for the decline or how long the slowdown might last. Observers suggest that changes in health care delivery practices might have played a role in the decline, such as new provider reimbursement parameters and efforts to reduce wasteful treatments.
- "Slower Growth of Health Costs Eases U.S. Deficit" (Lowrey, New York Times, 2/11).