Rx Drug, Medicare Spending To Increase, CMS Actuary Predicts

Health care spending is set to rise an average of 5.5 percent annually over the next decade and will reach 19.4 percent of gross domestic product in 2027, CMS’ Office of the Actuary estimated in a report released Wednesday (Feb. 20) . Key drivers of spending growth are expected to be prices for health care goods and services, including prescription drugs, and increased Medicare enrollment as baby boomers age into the program. Medicaid expansions in five states are projected to...