HEALTH

Health Care Expenses Higher: Out-of-pocket health care expenses for America’s elderly are about double expenditures before Medicare was implemented, showing that the 27-year-old Medicare program has failed to shelter older Americans from skyrocketing health care costs, according to a study by the Washington-based Families USA. The study found that in 1961 American households headed by someone over 65 spent an average of $347 annually in out-of-pocket health costs, including hospital and doctor fees and insurance premiums. In 1991, the average was $3,305. Adjusting for inflation, that represents a doubling of costs, the study said.