Topic: Medicare
Top galleries, list articles, quizzes
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5 steps to bipartisan cuts in Medicare – and the deficit
Medicare is the single greatest contributor to long-term deficits. If Democrats and Republicans cooperate on waste-cutting ideas – many of which are backed by President Obama – both parties stand to gain. Here are five ways Congress should act.
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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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Why is Obama still pushing health-care reform?
President Obama is still trying to win over public opinion on health-care reform. On Tuesday, he told Maryland seniors that $250 checks aimed at plugging the 'doughnut hole' in prescription drug coverage hit the mail June 10.
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Why BP should deny everything and brace for impact
There's little BP can do to stop the onslaught of lawsuits heading its way.
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Mexico drug war doesn't stop Americans from moving south of the border
'As safe as Seattle,' says a transplant to Mérida, Mexico, where there is no sign of the violent drug war waging in the north. Expatriates are fast buying and renovating colonial haciendas.
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Late-life breakups like Al and Tipper Gore's even harder on women
When a long marriage like Al and Tipper Gore's ends, women often take more of a financial hit. Retirement, health care, and long-term financial stability can be thrown off balance.
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Deficit hawks are killing the recovery
Instead of standing up to deficit hawks, Democrats in Congress shrank the scope of a much needed jobs bill.
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Justice Department declares war on doctors
In a landmark Idaho case, the Justice Department forced a group of doctors to accept government price controls.
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What mood are voters in? Just ask Senator Bob Bennett.
The ouster of Bob Bennett, a conservative and influential Republican senator from Utah, speaks volumes about voter sentiment.
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With US debt, two clocks are ticking
The US debt clock reached $13 trillion this week. America's demographic clock will make it harder to pare it back.
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New bill extends special interest tax breaks
The American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act would extend 70 expiring subsidies at a cost of $28.5 billion over the next two years.
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World debt crisis: eight reasons you should care
As the world starts to focus on its debt crisis, Greece's financial woes may presage problems to come in Europe and the United States – with implications for your bank account and stock portfolio.
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Obama proposes to curb spending bills. No more bridges to nowhere?
US presidents have long tried to obtain some form of line-item veto power. Obama's proposal could help eliminate pork-barrel projects, but it would also mark a big change in the balance of powers.
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Taming debt? It's easy. Untill you try.
A new online exercise from the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget lets you play your hand at reducing national debt.
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What do Seskak and Rand have in common? They remove all blame from Americans.
Americans love politicians that enable them to shun personal responsibility and remain in that state of denial.
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Q&A with Sen. John Cornyn
The GOP Senate campaign chief answered questions at an April 29 Monitor Breakfast in Washington about upcoming 2010 Senate races.
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The Monitor's View: British coalition of Cameron and Clegg may survive on their new localism
The joining of the Conservatives' "big society" concept and the Liberal Democrats' power-distribution ideas may help this British coalition overcome their differences.
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Rand Paul rallies Tea Party with Kentucky GOP Senate primary win
Rand Paul says he'll stick with his Tea Party-approved anti-federal government message after capturing Kentucky's GOP Senate nomination Tuesday night.
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Obama in Buffalo: tax reform is needed, but a flat tax isn't
President Obama told a town-hall meeting in Buffalo, N.Y., that the US will need to rein in its deficit soon, and that could include 'hard decisions' on tax reform. But he opposes the flat tax.
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US consumers turn activist after housing crisis and recession
Americans are known for their conspicuous consumption habits. But has the urge to spend brought on some of the post-housing crisis, post-recession activism, like the 'Tea Party' movement?
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One diploma and a whole lot of loans
College students are graduating with more debt than ever before. Is it morally right to allow graduates to start their lives immersed in debt?
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Tea party’s biggest concern isn’t Obama’s agenda
Beyond the tea party's antigovernment slogans lies white angst over lost political power.
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Gallery: Notable women in US politics
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Starve the beast? It's a poor way to cut the deficit.
The 'starve the beast' strategy – raising spending but not taxes – hasn't cut the deficit.
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Opinion: US fiscal time bomb is about to explode. Here's how to defuse it.
The bad news is that Washington has to make hard choices now to avert disaster. The good news is that some members of Congress are showing real political courage.
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Wealthy Americans shoulder health care tax burden
President Obama is 'spreading the wealth,' that is, taxing the rich and redistributing the wealth. Good policy or heavy-handed intrusion?
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Governments can go broke. Guess who picks up the pieces.
Governments go broke all the time. When they do, the victims can be all of us.
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