January 16, 2006 Growing Senior Population Translates to Inflated Health Care Costs by $21 Billion The senior population in the United States is expected to double to 70 million over the next 20 years causing health care costs to increase by as much as 70%. New medical technologies and devices will improve senior health care and extend lives, but the improvements will also lead to increases in Medicare costs.  The Rand Corporation released a study, "Health Status and Medical Treatment of the Future Elderly," in September 2005, that examined the health costs that seniors may face through 2030. Currently . . .