Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported on 2009 health spending numbers from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

In Washington, personal health spending per capita was $6,782 in 2009 — 28th highest in the nation, and slightly below the national average of $6,815. That total number is also broken out into categories:

• Dental services: Washington ranks 1st ($507, above the average $333)
• Other professional services (e.g. chiropractors): Washington ranks 3rd ($297, above the average $218)
• Physician and clinical services: Washington ranks 10th ($1,842, above the average $1,650)
• Durable medical products: Washington ranks 20th ($117, above the average $114)
• Hospital care: Washington ranks 35th ($2,409, below the average $2,475)
• Home health care: Washington ranks 36th ($132, below the average $223)
• Other health, residential, and personal care: Washington ranks 40th ($312, below the average $400)
• Nursing home care: Washington ranks 41st ($359, below the average $447)
• Prescription drugs and other nondurable medical products: Washington ranks 43rd ($807, below the average $956)