The consumer price index, also known as inflation, rose to above 4% for the first time in three years in May, punctuating months of surging energy prices amid the ongoing war in Iran, The Washington Post reported June 10.
The inflation rate is up from 3.8% in April, driven largely by rising gas prices that have increased roughly 50% since January, according to the report. May also marks the third consecutive month in which the Iran war has resulted in a measurable increase in prices in the U.S.
The reading marks the highest inflation rate since May 2023, a jump from what has been a decline in inflation rates since their pandemic-era peak of above 9%, which was the highest in nearly 40 years.
Physician practice expenses are also increasing, according to data from Strata Decision Technology. The median total expense per physician full-time equivalent reached $1.1 million in April, up 2.6% compared to 2025 and up 5.9% compared with 2024.
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