Excerpt: This analysis examines the relative burdens of out-of-pocket spending on seniors and younger adults. Using data from the Consumer Expenditures Survey from 1998 to 2003, it finds that seniors consistently spent a larger share of their income out of pocket on health care than younger people. Given the persistent differences between young and old, it suggests that even with Medicare's prescription drug benefit, significantly narrowing the wide gap between seniors and younger adults ... is unlikely.  MORE >>