U.S. consumer prices rose more than forecast in January...

The cost of medical care increased 0.8 percent in January, the biggest gain since August 1991, after a 0.2 percent rise in December. Prescription drug costs also rose by the most since August 1991, and physicians' services jumped 1.2 percent, the biggest gain since October 1981.

As pressure grows for the government to pick up more of the nation's health-care tab, new data show its contribution is already at 45% and is expected to approach 50% within 10 years.

The government's widening role in financing health care stems from the recent expansion of Medicare to include prescription drugs, the growth of relatively new initiatives like the State Children's Health Insurance Program, increased spending by enrollees in programs like Medicaid -- which covers many of the sickest patients -- and cutbacks in employer-sponsored health coverage.