Grand Rapids' Health-Care Affordable

Here is more good news for us in the greater Grand Rapids area.

Grand Rapids has been named a Top 10 City for Affordable Health Care, 2014 by Livability.

Livability's annual list ranks the United States' top affordable health-care cities.

Navigating the health-care landscape can be a challenge for everyone. Across the country, health-care expenses can put big dents in family budgets.

Spectrum Health

With this in mind, Livability named Grand Rapids a top 10 city ranked ninth because it offers some relief with the right prescription of low health-care spending; good access to hospitals, doctors and other health-care providers; plus an excellent quality of life.

For the list, editors measured affordability and also took into account Esri survey data on average per capita spending on health care and related items. They factored in the number of area hospitals, the number of primary care physicians and dentists per capita, as well as quality of life.

And finally, they considered data used to determine the Top 100 Best Places to Live. Specifically, they looked at such factors as walkability, income, the number of farmers' markets, and natural environment and climate. After all, overall health relates to living in a city with recreational amenities, thriving entertainment districts, cultural assets and locales like the Medical Mile.

Grand Rapids residents spend 31 percent less on health-care costs than the average American. With 12 local hospitals, three of which hold national rankings, serving the Grand Rapids area. Residents also benefit from a high number of primary care physicians and dentists.

While about 13 percent of the local population doesn't have health insurance, the average resident here lives several years longer than the national median.

Livability's Top 10 Cities For Affordable Health Care, 2014