The US healthcare sector added over 24,000 new roles in April, reports find

Recent reports by Altarum have found that the growth of US healthcare roles continues to stabilise, with over 24,000 jobs filled in April this year, making the industry one of the most influential in the country.

Despite this, socio-political tensions surrounding the delivery of healthcare remain, where President Trump has continually sought to overhaul existing insurance-based models. Technology companies are also looking at new ways to transform fragmented ways of working, to enable patient care to become increasingly integral, connected and patient-centered.

Whilst national health spending has increased in all categories analysed, rising to $3.62 trillion in March 2018, the Health Care Price Index has also increased, with hospital price growth rising by over 4%.

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Nonetheless, Altarum Fellow Dr Charles Roehrig, added: “It is concerning to see the growth rate in health spending move above 5% in the first quarter of 2018. While this is only a mild acceleration from the 4.6% growth in 2017, it comes even as health care coverage has declined. It also keeps health spending growth well above the 4.6% growth in GDP.

“Altarum’s first quarter estimates will be revised next month to reflect the Advance QSS data to be released on May 18. We will be particularly interested to see if the very high 8.1% estimated growth in nursing home spending is confirmed.”

Furthermore, the organisation has predicted a fall in prescription drug funding, but will continue to see a boost to hospital price growth as a result of Medicare and private hospital acceleration.