Healthcare—along with consumer staples (“buying stuff”) and utilities (“keeping the lights on”)—provide portfolio stability. : Healthcare—along with consumer staples (“buying stuff”) and utilities (“keeping the lights on”)—provide portfolio stability. Plus, they usually pay dividends, too! Of the three safety sectors, healthcare is a steady growth market, too. Consider these stats from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services: This isn’t new. We all feel that growing pinch year after year.