NEW YORK, Dec 18 (Reuters) -

U.S. healthcare spending rose by 7.5% in 2023 from 4.6% the

year prior to reach $4.9 trillion, driven by increased use of

medical services and as enrollment climbed for private health

plans, particularly in plans under the Affordable Care Act, the

federal government's Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

said in a report on Wednesday.

The agency, which oversees Medicare plans for people aged 65

and older or with disabilities, said that healthcare spending

outpaced U.S. economic growth. It rose by an inflation-adjusted

4.4% compared witth gross domestic product growth of 2.9% in

2023, the report said.