What does the future hold for all of us in the health and health care of America's Seniors and chronic care?

Medicare is not isolated from the rest of the health system. Its costs - and cost problems - reflect the gaps and problems that younger Americans experience. People with a chronic disease who are uninsured before acquiring Medicare use more Medicare services than those who had prior health insurance, driving up Medicare costs for everyone. A recent study found that previously uninsured near-elderly adults with heart disease, stroke or diabetes had 13 percent more doctor's visits, 20 percent more hospitalizations, and ...