What can be learned from CMS data on health care spending?

The United States spends more on health care than any other industrialized nation (almost 18% of gross domestic product [GDP]) and has the lowest rate of publicly insured citizens (36%), third highest rate of completely uninsured individuals (9%, slightly less than Mexico and Costa Rica), and lowest life expectancy (78.6 years). Much of our national political conversation has been dominated for decades by issues related to health care affordability and coverage. The Medicare Modernization Act (2003), Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2009), and Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 are examples of laws that have their basis in reducing the cost and improving the...