Spending growth slows for healthcare and prescription drugs

National health spending grew in 2007 at the lowest rate in nine years, mainly because prescription drug spending increased at the slowest pace since 1963, according to a government report. Other types of health spending rose at a brisk pace, pushing the total to $2.2 trillion, or 16.2% of the gross domestic product. Spending averaged $7,421 for each person. Total health spending rose 6.1%, compared with a 6.7% increase in 2006.