Historic Health Care Spending Statistics Annual Per Capita Spending
The following is the average annual health care spending (not just insurance premiums) per capita
2010 $8,402
2000 $4,550
1990 $2,600
1980 $1,110
1970 $380


http://www.statisticbrain.com/health-insurance-cost-statistics/

Great point, the cost of health care has been rising way too fast for many years, which is why the cost of insurance is getting to high for many people or employers to afford. Something had to be done and because a large segment of politicians didn't want anything to be done, we have a mishmash of compromise called Obamacare, which is an improvement over nothing being done!

I have benefited from the law even before this point when the exchanges are coming online. My favorite part is the end to pre-existing conditions (well except for smoking, which really should be done away with too). I lived with a very painful herniated disc in my back for almost ten years before I was able to get coverage that didn't exclude coverage on pre-existing conditions. I finally had surgery last Dec., it was great to finally feel relief!

With that said, if I had way we would simply pay taxes to have the government actually supply the health care, rather than pay insurance companies. As a nation we should simply insure ourselves!