Is expanding Medicare coverage cost-effective?

Table 3 Observed and predicted expenditures and health outcomes

Expenditures
Age-group	Observed Private supplemental insurance	Observed Medicare only	Predicted*
65–74	$4029	$3632	$4141
>75	$5942	$4243	$5919
Health-related quality of life score
65–74	0.78	0.71	0.73
>75	0.70	0.62	0.67
Mortality†
65–74	0.043	0.067	0.048
>75	0.083	0.129	0.092

*Values for effects of supplemental insurance on those with Medicare only using predictive regression models.
† Proportion dying within 24 months.

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