Topic: Medicaid
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If not 'sequester,' then what? Five ideas from left and right.
Few in Washington believe that "the sequester,” $85 billion in automatic spending cuts set to hit the federal budget as of March 1, is a good idea. But what's the alternative? Here are five proposals, from the right, the center, and the left, to replace the sequester. Which do you like?
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Sequester 101: What happens if $85 billion in cuts hit on March 1
The sequester is a complex concept with a tortuous history. Here are the basics on the automatic spending reductions set to kick in March 1.
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Senate freshmen: What the 14 new members bring to Capitol Hill
A freshman Senate class was sworn in Jan. 3, bringing diverse skills and experience – not to mention agendas – to the legislative body. Whether the 14 newest senators help break partisan gridlock, or refuse to work across the aisle, will be the test for the 113th Congress.Twelve were elected on Nov. 6, including three Republicans, eight Democrats, and an independent. In addition, a Republican and a Democrat were appointed to vacant seats after the election. Here is a look at the 14 and what they bring to the Senate:
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How much do you know about US entitlement programs? Take our quiz.
The push to reform entitlement programs is at the heart of debates about the future of the US budget. They include Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment benefits, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (welfare).
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Robert Reich Is US headed to 'A Wonderful Life' – or Pottersville?
America's better off now than when Frank Capra filmed 'It's a Wonderful Life.' But today, the 'Potters' of this world call themselves 'job creators' and brand George Baileys as socialists.
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Tax VOX The toughest obstacles in the budget debate? Entitlements.
Somehow we must find ways to gain control over spending on Medicare and Medicaid, Penner writes.
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Focus
The Monitor's top 11 US stories of 2012
From storms to politics, the year was a wild ride. What are the most meaningful US stories of 2012? Here's the Monitor's list, in roughly chronological order.
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Obama makes 'fiscal cliff' offer. Are contours of a deal emerging? (+video)
In fiscal cliff negotiations, President Obama is now proposing that tax hikes could begin with households earning $400,000, not the $250,000 that he has long called for.
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After Sandy Hook, teachers should be armed, says Texas Gov. Rick Perry (+video)
Texas Gov. Rick Perry says he supports allowing teachers to carry concealed handguns in schools in the wake of the Sandy Hook shooting. Perry also said that mental health issues should be considered as a way to make schools safer.
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Tax VOX How Eisenhower and Congressional Democrats balanced the budget
President Dwight Eisenhower truly believed that budgets should be balanced, and his 1960 budget incorporated severe spending restraint and only minor tax increases, Penner writes.
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Raising Medicare's eligibility age: How much money would it save?
A full account of the impact of raising Medicare's eligibility age to 67 must also include the added costs to other expensive programs, as some seniors switch to Medicaid or seek government subsidies for private insurance.
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Boehner: Don't make Christmas plans, 'serious differences' remain in 'fiscal cliff' talks
Boehner's comments came as top Democrats pushed back on GOP demands for tough steps like raising the Medicare eligibility age and curbing the cost-of-living adjustment for Social Security.
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Obama's Medicaid expansion: How many states are likely to rebel?
The Supreme Court ruled that states do not have to abide by the expansion of Medicaid under President Obama's health-care law. There are strong economic arguments on both sides.
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Robert Reich America's other cliffs: poverty, healthcare and the environment
America does face a cliff – not a fiscal cliff, but a set of precipices obscured by Republicans' obsession over government’s size and spending, Reich writes.
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Decoder Wire Why might Republicans cave in 'fiscal cliff' talks?
The GOP and President Obama have long disagreed over taxes for the rich. Although there are signs of potential movement with the fiscal cliff looming, there are also reasons it might not happen.
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Governors urge action to avoid tumbling off 'fiscal cliff' (+video)
Six governors met Tuesday with President Obama, urging timely resolution of the tax and spending negotiations. If automatic cuts go into effect, states stand to lose 18 percent of federal grant money.
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White House rejects GOP plan: Tax rates for top 2 percent must go up (+video)
It did not take long for the White House to dismiss the Republican deficit-cutting proposal, which raised revenues by capping deductions. Now both sides have laid down their markers.
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Timothy Geithner, John Boehner edge toward the 'fiscal cliff'
With less than a month before the 'fiscal cliff' imposes automatic tax increases and spending cuts, Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and House Speaker John Boehner dueled rhetorically on the Sunday TV news programs.
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Robert Reich Fiscal cliff would hurt low-wage workers the most
Fiscal cliff drama in Washington coinciding with strikes and work stoppages among America’s lowest-paid workers, at Walmart and fast food restaurants, is no coincidence. If Congress goes over, these are the people who will feel the pinch.
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Energy Voices Oil and the 'fiscal cliff'
Tverberg explores the connection between changes in the oil market and growing concern of the 'fiscal cliff.'
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'Fiscal cliff' talks turn sour: Are prospects for deal vanishing?
House Speaker John Boehner charges that 'no substantive progress has been made' to avoid the Dec. 31 fiscal cliff, but such comments are a part of negotiating, an expert says.
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'Fiscal cliff' reality check: Are US taxes low or high? (+video)
As Washington confronts the 'fiscal cliff' and seeks a deal to reduce the deficit, one key issue is the tax rate. Comparatively, US taxes are low, but politically, a big hike is a nonstarter.
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Opinion: Fiscal cliff: Republicans on wrong track if they help Obama raise taxes on the rich
Higher taxes won’t much improve US finances and would likely wreck the economy. But as fiscal cliff talks intensify, a small group of Republican senators are prepared to help President Obama make the rich pay more – facts notwithstanding. A better approach: Spur private-sector growth.
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'Fiscal cliff' looms, White House and Congress continue discussions
Obama and Boehner's 15-minute phone call came amid increasing anxiety that the White House and top Republicans are wasting time.
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US plunge off 'fiscal cliff' is likely, say debt gurus Simpson and Bowles (+video)
Former chairs of Obama's debt commission, Alan Simpson (R) and Erskine Bowles (D), said at the Monitor breakfast Wednesday they see just a one-third likelihood that the White House and congressional Republicans will reach a deal by year's end to avert the fiscal cliff.
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Focus Obamacare countdown: How will reform affect the economy?
The health-care law could strain household budgets, but drastic impacts on the US economy over the coming decade are unlikely, experts say.
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Focus Obamacare countdown: What is slated to happen over next year?
The health-care reform law, aka Obamacare, is poised to enter a crucial 12 months that includes setting up state exchanges, levying taxes on the wealthy, and preparing for the individual mandate.
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Medicare, social program cuts: Will Democrats go along?
Medicare, Obamacare, and other social programs are at the heart of a disconnect over the 'fiscal cliff' in Washington. Republicans appear willing for tax increases but only if Democrats accept big cuts in Medicare and other social programs.
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'Fiscal cliff': Obama, Republicans revert to campaign mode
President Obama met with small-business owners Tuesday, meets with middle-class Americans and business leaders Wednesday. Republicans, too, are orchestrating meetings, as both sides vie to win public's support for their approach to resolving the fiscal cliff crisis.
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