Why Healthcare Costs Are Rising in America: The $9 Trillion Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

Why Healthcare Costs Are Rising in America: The $9 Trillion Outlook for 2025 and Beyond

June 26, 2026 · 20 min · Episode 253

About this episode

The episode discusses the rising healthcare costs in America and the projections for national health expenditures through 2034.

Health Affairs Publishing ’ s Jeff Byers welcomes Michael Chernew , professor at Harvard Medical School , back to the pod to discuss the recently released National Health Expenditures Projections for 2025–34 from the Office of the Actuary (OACT) at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Related Links: National Health Expenditure Projections, 2025–34: Strong Utilization Growth Initially, Legislative Impacts Later ( Health Affairs ) The NHE Projections Through 2034: Growth Assumptions, Policy Consequences ( Health Affairs Forefront ) Sign up for Health Affairs' free newsletter to catch up on our new articles, podcasts, and events.

People in this episode

Host: Jeff Byers

Guest: Michael Chernew

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Harvard Medical School, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Health Affairs, Health Affairs Forefront

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