1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20484March 3, 2000Trends in Medicare Spending: Fact SheetHinda Ripps ChaikindSpecialist in Social LegislationDomestic Social Policy DivisionWhen Congress passed the Balanced Budget A
2、ct of 1997 (BBA, P.L. 105-33), thelegislation was intended, in part, to constrain Medicare growth. However, both currentand projected spending are even lower than expected at the time of BBAs passage. Infact, the last 2 years have set records for low or declining rates of program growth. Infiscal ye
3、ar 1998, the Medicare growth rate slowed to a then record low of just 1.5% forthe entire year, an amount less than would be expected allowing for increases in enrollmentand for inflation. The following year set a new record, when, for the first time in theprograms history Medicare spending dropped f
4、rom 1 year to the next. Mandatoryprogram spending declined by about $2 billion from $211 billion in 1998 to $209.3 billionin 1999, almost a 1% decline.Over the next several years Medicare spending is projected to grow at a moderaterate, reversing the recent record trends of low (or negative) growth,
