Medicaid to Grow from $339 Billion to $674 Billion

According to a report released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) last week, state and federal Medicaid spending will total $339 billion in 2008 and reach $674 billion by 2017. (Kaiser Network)

Why will Medicaid costs rise at a rate of 7.9 percent annually? Factors like the increased number of insured people and medical services, better and more complex care, and wage increases and inflation in the medical sector account for the rising rate.

Additionally, the number of people in the workforce is not keeping up with our ability to fund health care. Our country’s demand for more and better care must be balanced with our limited ability to privately and publicly fund this care.

Download CMS’s 40-page report in PDF.