The US has a population of 300 million people. This works out to just $300 per person per quarter (or $1,200 annually). Given almost 20% of the population is over 65 (old people really put up the healthcare cost numbers) and the sophistication of our healthcare system (we have the tech to keep you alive or prolong your life despite pretty hairy stuff happening to you), it is not a very surprising number. The real question is how to afford it all.