Which of the following was a major change after Medicare began a presc

Which of the following was a major change after Medicare began a prescription drug benefit?

a. Number of prescriptions ordered by physicians decreased
b. Medications increased without affecting patient care outcomes
c. U.S. expenditures on drugs approached the same level as that of other industrialized nations
d. Use of drugs and their cost immediately increased

ESSAYBID ANSWER

ANS: D
As with other health care services, once a funding source has been established, usage and costs increase. Thus, the number of prescriptions ordered increased. For 2006, the United States expenditure for pharmaceuticals was 1.5 times that of other industrialized countries, and these expenditures continue to rise.