States with the highest and lowest health care spending

According to a study from Health Affairs, the United States has the highest health care spending per person in the world and it is expected to grow. With inflation, between 2000 and 2020, U.S. health spending per person doubled. Further, by 2030, total health spending is expected to reach $6.8 trillion.

However, health spending per person varies from state to state. In 2014, the state with the lowest spend was Utah at $5,982, and the state with the highest spend was Alaska at $11,064. The factors for varied health care spending depends on the demand for care, demographics, population health, and how health services are provided, paid for, and regulated.

One of the biggest factors is health care policies like the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid services. With policies changing and new ones being introduced, health care spend can change drastically year over year.

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