Final answer:
Discretionary spending involves annual authorization by Congress and includes a significant portion of federal government spending on healthcare. It differs from mandatory spending, which does not require yearly approval.
Step-by-step explanation:
Discretionary spending describes spending that Congress must authorize on an annual basis through legislation and makes up a significant portion of the federal government's total spending on healthcare and other areas. This category of spending is distinct from mandatory spending, which is required by existing laws such as Social Security or Medicare and does not need annual approval from Congress.
The federal budget allocates a substantial amount of money for discretionary spending, which includes not only healthcare but also education, defense, transportation, and other public services. Notably, approximately 50% of the $1.2 trillion set aside for discretionary spending each year goes towards maintaining government operations and redistributive benefits. Defense spending, which is also part of discretionary spending, constitutes the second-largest component of the total federal budget.
Healthcare spending, while significant, is only one portion of the discretionary spending budget. It is important to note that this figure is subject to change annually, as Congress reviews and adjusts the discretionary budget as part of the overall federal budget process.