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Issue Brief Examines Healthcare Costs after Health Reform

Though every nation struggles to balance cost with access and quality, the United States seems to face a particular challenge with the cost side of the equation, spending significantly more on healthcare than any other country. In an attempt to begin addressing rising costs, the Affordable Care Act included a variety of provisions to bend the cost curve. Though these provisions offer encouraging first steps, many question whether health reform takes big enough strides toward reining in costs.

The Center's issue brief, Health Reform’s Cost Impact: Can More Be Done to Bend the Cost Curve?, begins by taking a look at the impact of the Affordable Care Act on the nation's growing healthcare costs and then moves on to additional cost-saving opportunities that were not included as part of health reform. A variety of additional strategies are considered including some related to further reducing administrative waste, increasing access to primary care and creating additional initiatives to enhance quality. To read this publication or to see other issue briefs in The Center's collection, please visit the issue briefs section of our website.