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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Campaigning with an eye on the storm
As Sandy heads north, bearing down on battleground states, President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney have had to rethink their campaigns and cancel some events.
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Tax VOX
What is President Obama's tax plan?Gleckman offers a description of what President Barack Obama has pledged to do on tax policy if he is reelected president in November.
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Fix the Debt: CEOs launch drive for 'grand bargain.' Is Washington listening?
The Fix the Debt CEOs, who are dedicated to pushing Washington toward a deficit-reducing 'grand bargain,' say they were appalled by the reckless debate over the debt ceiling in 2011.
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5 national security issues next president must tackle
President Obama and Mitt Romney battle over foreign policy issues in the third and final presidential debate. No matter who wins the presidential election November 6, Mr. Romney or Mr. Obama will have to confront five urgent national security issues in the first weeks of his term.
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Can Republicans increase their ranks of governors? Four races to watch.
With only 11 races for governor this year, there’s no big sea change to anticipate. With Republicans hoping to add to the 29 states under their banner, the four races to watch are in Washington, New Hampshire, Montana, and North Carolina.
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Battleground Virginia: Defense cuts loom large in key US Senate race
In their last debate in the Virginia Senate race, George Allen and Tim Kaine clashed over how to avoid some $55 billion in mandated defense cuts set to begin Jan. 1. Allen would take more from social programs; Kaine would raise taxes on the wealthiest Americans.
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Medicare: Taking it private would raise premiums
Medicare would be more expensive for six in 10 recipients if it were privatized, according to a recent report from the Kaiser Family Foundation. Some regions, including the senior-rich political swing state of Florida, would face hundreds in premium hikes under a hypothetical privatized Medicare system.
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3 views on whether the next Congress should repeal Obamacare
Repealing Obamacare is bound to come up as voters in a town-hall forum question President Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney in the second presidential debate. Concerns about healthcare, from Medicare to the Affordable Care Act, play a key role in this election. Three writers give their brief take on whether the next Congress should repeal the Affordable Care Act.
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Social Security COLA to rise 1.7 percent
Social Security cost of living adjustment, one of the smallest increases in decades, takes effect in January. More than 56 million Social Security recipients will benefit.
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Robert Reich
A memo to the president re: the next debateRobert Reich sends his advice to President Obama in anticipation of his second debate with Mitt Romney.
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Cover Story
Election 2012: How another Obama term might be differentWould four more years of Obama change the Washington dynamic? A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a Romney White House – either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.
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Cover Story
Election 2012: How Romney might lead on new Washington terrainRomney White House scenarios beyond a top-down CEO approach. A two-part election 2012 report profiles the stark differences and interesting similarities of a second-term Obama White House vs. a Romney White House – either of which would have to deal with a highly polarized Congress.
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Annual Social Security adjustment will be a meager increase
The annual cost-of-living adjustment to Social Security recipients is expected to be between a 1 to 2 percent increase, among the lowest automatic adjustments since 1975.
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Saving Money
Social Security: 7 common myths bustedWhether it will be around when you retire or not, Social Security is a difficult thing to understand. Here are seven common questions about the program, explained.
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Robert Reich
Why Biden wonOverall, Thursday night's presidential debate was Joe Biden's night. He not only trounced Paul Ryan, but also, in the process, trounced Mitt Romney.
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Focus
Election 2012: Ballot initiatives reflect nation's moodThe 174 propositions on state ballots point to evolving opinions on marijuana, same-sex marriage, health care, and more. Do the initiatives show the power of direct democracy or lack of legislative leadership?
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Robert Reich
How the fiscal cliff turns into a gentle 'fiscal hill'Hyper-polarized Washington hasn’t shown itself capable of rational behavior, Reich writes; It's why the nation is heading over a fiscal cliff that may begin to look more like a hill whose slope remains uncertain but will almost surely be gradual.
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Coal state Dems diverge on Obama policies
Obama's moves on clean air and fossil fuels have complicated the lives of Democrats in coal-rich states that count on mining for jobs and economic growth, with incumbents and candidates adopting drastically different strategies to ensure their own political survival.
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Biden, Ryan hold their own in tough vice presidential debate (+video)
Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan went at it in a strong, substantial debate Thursday night. Both men succeeded in articulating their campaign's main talking points, and both likely helped boost the candidacies of their presidential ticket partners.
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Biden-Ryan debate: why it doesn’t matter, and why it does (+video)
Vice presidential debates have no history of swinging presidential races. But after President Obama's subpar performance last week, Vice President Joe Biden faces pressure Thursday night.
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Tax VOX
The hidden value of marginal tax ratesThe marginal tax rate is crucial in making various personal economic decisions, Williams writes.
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The 'fiscal cliff' looms. Ways to soften the tax bill blow.
When the 'fiscal cliff' hits at the end of the year, automatic tax increases will push up taxes on income and capital gains and dividends. Here's how taxpayers can minimize the potential damage.
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Robert Reich
Fear and voting in AmericaThe biggest motivator in this election isn’t enthusiasm about either of the candidates, Reich writes. The biggest motivator is fear of the other guy.
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Decoder Wire
Why watch the vice-presidential debate? Entertainment value. (+video)The vice-presidential debate Thursday might not change much in the polls, but it should provide more zingers than the first presidential debate did – and be a warm-up for Obama-Romney Round 2.
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Senator prods Gang of 8 to make middle class, deficit-cutting top priorities
As bipartisan talks to avoid a 'fiscal cliff' renew this week, a top Senate Democratic leader, Charles Schumer, warns negotiators that any plan that aims to cut taxes on the rich and also cut deficits is 'a trap,' and won't add up.
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