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During the peak COVID timeframe in 2021, the U.S. spent nearly $4.3 trillion on health care. Government insurance programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, made up 42% (or a whopping $1.8 trillion of national health care spending) in 2021. That's according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), which says private insurance programs, including employer-sponsored plans and plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act, made up 28% of spending, or about $1.2 trillion.
Also, out-of-pocket spending, such as premiums paid by individuals and other out-of-pocket costs, spending by third-party payers, investment in research and equipment, and public health activity accounted for the remaining 29%, or $1.2 trillion, of national health spending.
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