A study co-authored by Yale economist Zack Cooper finds that growth in U.S. health care spending is a major force pushing insurance premiums upward. That rise, in turn, makes care less affordable and accessible for many Americans, according to the research.
The study also ties rising premiums to broader economic damage, including suppressed wage growth, job losses, and widening inequality. These effects compound the direct burden of health costs on households and employers alike.
While the source article does not detail the study's methodology or proposed policy solutions, the findings underscore how health care spending is not just a budget issue but a structural driver of economic disparity.