California pays a lot for health care, not so much for keeping people healthy

California spends a lot on health care to treat its residents, but relatively little to ensure they are healthy, according to a new report. In 2018, for every $1 that California spent on health care services, it spent just $0.68 on other aspects of health, including social and public health services. That “other” figure is down by nearly half — from $1.22 — since 2007. While California’s total health care spending has grown nearly 150% since that year, spending on other services grew by around 40%. The report’s authors say that the state could rein in some of its $119 billion budget by cutting back on wasted costs, including unnecessary medical services. But it could also invest in community aspects of care tied to improved health, including raising the minimum wage and investing in public health, education, and other social programs.