Topic: Medicare
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Opinion 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).
All Content
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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.
05/04/2010 11:40 am -
David R. Francis 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?
05/03/2010 05:13 pm -
The Daily Reckoning 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.
05/02/2010 03:05 am -
Gallery Famous political party switches
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The Monitor's View Debt crisis in Greece: Junk bond rating demands action
With its bonds rated as junk, the debt crisis in Greece must prompt Athens to take far greater austerity measures than originally planned. Political leaders and the public must find the courage for the necessary sacrifice.
04/28/2010 01:19 pm -
Tax VOX The Obama deficit commission: five issues to watch
President Obama held the first meeting of the Bipartisan Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform Tuesday. Here are five issues to watch as the deliberations get under way.
04/28/2010 11:29 am -
Will Obama commission on federal deficit mean a new tax?
At the first meeting of the bipartisan commission to tackle the federal deficit Tuesday, nothing was taken 'off the table' – not spending cuts, higher tax rates, or a 'value-added tax.'
04/27/2010 07:58 pm -
Economist Mom Why a value-added tax? Because no one's offering something better than the VAT.
Although both parties have rejected a value-added tax, political gridlock is keeping them from offering better alternatives than the VAT.
04/27/2010 02:45 am -
Opinion 'Tea party' founder: Why our movement will succeed -- and why it's good for America
A cofounder of the St. Louis Tea Party lays out his vision for a better America.
04/23/2010 11:40 am -
Hospital visitation, latest step in delicate dance on gay rights
Gay rights activists cheered Obama's memo on hospital visitation rights, but the president faces increasing tension with constituencies who helped elect him and expected faster results.
04/16/2010 06:59 pm -
Tax day 101: How is the tax code changing under Obama?
Obama has showered new tax perks on the poor and middle class while pledging to maintain many of the Bush tax cuts. But his tax code largess stops at wealthy households.
04/14/2010 10:48 pm -
Ben Bernanke: Time to shift from stimulus to federal deficit
Economic recovery has progressed far enough for policymakers to turn their attention from stimulus to reducing the federal deficit, Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke testified Wednesday.
04/14/2010 09:14 pm -
Tax day 101: Who pays no income taxes on April 15?
Nearly half of all Americans pay no income taxes on April 15, including some people who are millionaires. Is this fair? A look at who pays what on tax day.
04/12/2010 09:05 pm -
Robert Reich Immigration: Could it solve Social Security, Medicare woes?
To keep Social Security and Medicare from running out of money, the US will have to raise taxes, lower benefits, or cut other spending. Or it could boost immigration.
04/11/2010 06:45 am -
The Reformed Broker Your cost of doing business is up 25 percent. Now go hire people.
Is raising taxes on businesses really the best way to create jobs?
04/09/2010 12:52 pm -
Monitor Breakfast CBO chief stands by claim: health care reform will cut deficit
Congressional Budget Office director Douglas Elmendorf is confident that the CBO forecast about health care reform and the deficit is true. But he acknowledges tough deficit choices ahead.
04/09/2010 12:15 pm -
ThinkMarkets How ObamaCare might be repealed
The fight against Obamacare isn't over yet.
04/09/2010 11:18 am -
The Circle Bastiat There's nothing wrong with Social Security
That's the claim made by a "progressive" web site. Boy, are they wrong.
04/07/2010 06:07 pm -
Opinion Before health care reform, Republicans weren't always the party of 'No!'
They all rejected health care reform, but a great many Republicans once voted for the very programs – Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid – that conservatives now denounce as socialism.
04/07/2010 11:15 am -
Will the health care reform law last after 2010 election?
The health care reform bill received no support from the Republican party, and faces a battle for its life if the GOP gains a majority after the 2010 election.
04/06/2010 02:51 pm -
Amid harsh criticisms, 'tea party' slips into the mainstream
The release of the top three 'tea party' issues this week gives a glimpse of a small-government movement growing, maturing, and looking increasingly more like middle America.
04/03/2010 12:50 pm -
Donald Marron Does healthcare reform close a tax loopholes or destroy wealth?
A Wall Street Journal editorial had said healthcare reform will destroy wealth and capital. But White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs says the bill only closes a tax loophole.
03/29/2010 03:03 pm -
Senators Charles Schumer and Lindsey Graham on healthcare reform: Let's get it on
Republicans have promised a campaign to repeal the healthcare reform bill. President Obama said: 'Go for it.' Sens. Charles Schumer (D) and Lindsey Graham (R) showed Sunday that the midterm elections could indeed be a battle royal on healthcare reform.
03/28/2010 03:48 pm -
Obama hails 'real and major' reforms, but at what political cost?
In his weekly address, President Obama highlighted healthcare and college-loan legislation. But the new laws' partisan push by Democrats could come at a political price, the GOP hopes.
03/27/2010 02:23 pm -
Economist Mom Oh yeah, that social security problem…
Social security reform took a back seat to healthcare reform, but the Congressional Budget Office has recently announced that the program will be in the red this year – far sooner than expected.
03/26/2010 05:01 pm
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