NEJM researchers find the reasons behind the slowdown
Fewer blockbuster drugs
Slower growth in existing technologies
Higher out-of-pocket costs for members
Penalties for hospital-acquired conditions
Penalties for preventable readmissions
Accountable care
Bundled payment
According to the New England Journal of Medicine, last year healthcare spending rose only moderately for the third year in a row, increasing by 0.8% per person, slightly less than the rate of growth of gross domestic product per capita. This trend marks a departure from the previous five decades, and may be fueled in part by payment reforms contained within the Affordable Care Act.
