National Health Service annual expenditure

In the United Kingdom, annual expenditure on the National Health Service (NHS) is... 

In the UK, annual expenditure on the National Health Service (NHS) is largely determined by government during public expenditure negotiations. Until recently, there has tended to be an implicit belief that this money (or the resources that this money could command) should be used to meet all health needs. Words such as rationing were avoided at all costs in official documents. 

In the last four to five decades national health care expenditures for all types of health-related transactions, including dental, medical, hospital, prescription, and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, has grown from about 5% of the country s gross domestic product (GDP) (national expenditures on all goods and services) to nearly 14% of the GDP today. Total health expenditures in the United States are now well over 1 trillion annually. 

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. National health expenditures aggregate, per capita, percent distribution, and annual percent change by source of funds calendar years 1960-00. www.hcfa.gov/stats/nhe-oact/, accessed July 12, 2002. 

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