Topic: Medicare
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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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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Ten tax moves to protect yourself from the fiscal cliff
Americans are facing an unprecedented tax increase of nearly $500 billion on Jan. 1, 2013, from the so-called "fiscal cliff." Are you ready? Here are 10 year-end tax strategies I recommend:
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'Fiscal cliff' 101: 5 basic questions answered
President Obama and congressional leaders are working to stop the US from going over the “fiscal cliff,” a combination of higher taxes and lower spending set to take effect Jan. 1. Here are five steps to understanding what's going on.
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6 ways to avoid the 'fiscal cliff'
Republican congressional leaders and President Obama sharply disagree over how to deal with the impending “fiscal cliff.” But a successful plan shouldn’t be that hard to put in place. Here are six ways Washington can avoid the “fiscal cliff.”
All Content
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'Fiscal cliff' deal: What will it mean for you?
Some aspects of the fiscal cliff deal are well-known – such as rising tax rates on the rich. But, actually, everyone will be paying more taxes. Here's a look at the deal's details.
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Robert Reich
After the fiscal cliff comes the debt ceilingThe battle over the fiscal cliff was only a prelude to the coming battle over raising the debt ceiling – Reich writes – a battle that will likely continue through early March, when the Treasury runs out of tricks to avoid a default on the nation’s debt.
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Decoder Wire
Donald Trump slams GOP: How would he have struck 'fiscal cliff' deal?Donald Trump slams GOP in tweets, saying that Republicans got nothing in the fiscal cliff deal. Here's a look at some principles the real estate mogul might have followed had he been negotiating.
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House Republicans' 'fiscal cliff' gripe: When will we ever get spending cuts? (+video)
What riles House Republicans isn't the taxes on the rich in the Senate's 'fiscal cliff' bill, it's the absence of significant spending cuts. But changes at this late date could scuttle the bill.
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Robert Reich
Senate 'fiscal cliff' deal is lousyHere are four reasons the 'fiscal cliff' deal emerging from the Senate doesn't serve America well. President Obama could have done better in negotiations with the Republicans.
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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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'Fiscal cliff': How far apart are the sides now on tax cut deal?
Both sides have appeared to come closer together on Bush-era tax cuts, but many other issues remain, and Senate majority leader Harry Reid still isn't saying much publicly.
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Investors peek over 'fiscal cliff' and find ... blue skies?
Professional investors see plenty of minefields, but many believe a congressional deal will avert the worst of the 'fiscal cliff.' Another plus: Beyond the 'fiscal cliff' is a slowly improving economy.
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Obama, Congress struggle toward fiscal cliff deal
On Friday President Barack Obama met with congressional leaders once again to try negotiating a budget deal. Obama said he walked away from the meeting 'optimistic.'
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Fiscal cliff? Here are ways to cushion your fall.
Higher taxes and federal spending cuts would begin to hit all Americans Jan. 1. Here are ways to cope with the 'fiscal cliff.'
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No Ben Affleck? That's OK, Massachusetts Senate race still poised to be big.
If John Kerry's seat needs to be filled next year, it will be the fourth time Massachusetts voters have chosen Senate candidates in a six-year period. Actor-director Ben Affleck said Monday he won't run.
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Tax VOX
Worst fiscal policy ideas of 2012TaxVox's Lump of Coal Awards covers a broad swath of fiscal policy missteps for the year.
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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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Robert Reich
Fiscal cliffhanger: Obama's unwise concessionsPresident Barack Obama has returned to making premature and unnecessary concessions to Republicans in the fiscal cliff debate, Reich writes.
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Social Security: Is reform needed now or not?
Negotiations over avoiding the 'fiscal cliff' have put Social Security back in the news. While the program isn't a money loser for the federal government, its trustees favor acting soon to keep it healthy.
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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.
- 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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Social Security reform: What 'chained CPI' proposal by Obama means
Obama proposes revising the way Social Security benefits get adjusted each year to help retirees cope with inflation, as part of 'fiscal cliff' talks. Here's how 'chained CPI' would alter the status quo.
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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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Tax VOX
How Eisenhower and Congressional Democrats balanced the budgetPresident 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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Decoder Wire
Amid Newtown grief, will a 'fiscal cliff' deal quietly get done?While the nation is focused on the shootings in Newtown, Conn., lawmakers appear to be nearing an agreement on the fiscal cliff – and may settle the matter without fight or fanfare.
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GOP cracks in higher taxes for the wealthy?
House Speaker John Boehner has joined Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell in signaling that the Bush-era tax cuts for 'millionaires and billionaires' – President Obama’s favorite campaign target for additional federal revenues – should be allowed to expire at year’s end.
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Decoder Wire
'Fiscal cliff': Is John Boehner in a lose-lose situation?Speaker John Boehner and fellow Republicans are being asked to cave on tax rates in the fiscal cliff negotiations. In return, they could be the 'bad guys' on entitlement reform – something even their own voters may not support.
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Fiscal cliff: Obama, Boehner speak frankly (+video)
As the battle over the United States' 'fiscal cliff' continues, President Obama and Representative Boehner spoke directly at the White House on Thursday.
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With wide gap, Obama and Boehner meet for 'fiscal cliff' talks
With an end-of-year deadline looming, the two leaders came together at the White House on Thursday in an attempt to rejuvenate negotiations as frustration mounted over the lack of progress on averting the 'fiscal cliff.'
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