Which of the following factors is a major driver of health expenditures in the U.S.?

Medical technology is a major driver of health expenditures in the U.S. due to its significant impact on healthcare costs and expenditures. The advancement and introduction of new medical technologies often lead to increased healthcare spending because they can result in more expensive diagnostic tests, treatments, and procedures. As medical technologies become more sophisticated, they tend to provide new options for patient care, potentially leading to more frequent interventions and higher expenses associated with their use.

For instance, the development of advanced imaging techniques (like MRI and CT scans) and minimally invasive surgical procedures can enhance patient outcomes but typically also come with higher costs. These expenses contribute to overall healthcare spending, which continues to rise as technology evolves and becomes integrated into standard care practices.

Factors such as increased preventive care, expanded health insurance coverage, and decreased hospital stays influence healthcare costs but do so in ways that can potentially reduce expenditures or change how they are allocated. For example, increased preventive care generally aims to improve health outcomes and potentially lower long-term costs, while expanded insurance coverage can lead to more people seeking services, possibly increasing spending in some areas. Decreased hospital stays, driven by improvements in outpatient care and technology, can also signal more efficient care and potentially lower costs in certain instances. However, medical technology itself remains a