As estimated for 2003, elderly beneficiaries made up 9% of enrollment but accounted for 26% of spending on benefits, and disabled beneficiaries made up 16% of enrollment but accounted for 43% of benefit spending. In contrast, adults and children together were estimated to represent 75% of enrollment but to account for 31% of spending.

Note: Expenditure distribution based on Congressional Budget Office data that includes only federal spending on services and excludes Disproportionate Share Hospital payments, supplemental provider payments, vaccines for children, administration, and the temporary Federal Medicaid Assistance Percentage increase.

Source: Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured estimates based on Congressional Budget Office and Office of Management and Budget data, 2004.