Topic: Medicare
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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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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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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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Would a 'fiscal cliff' deal imperil John Boehner's tenure as House speaker?
Resolving the fiscal cliff this year may require Speaker John Boehner to take to the House floor a deal that a majority of Republicans will reject – a move that could risk his speakership in the next Congress, says the Democrats' Rep. Chris Van Hollen.
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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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Obamacare fee to offset costs of pre-existing conditions
Obamacare fee may come as somewhat of a surprise to companies and employees as part of the President's health-care overhaul legislation. The Obamacare fee will take effect in 2014.
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Americans' 'fiscal cliff' fix? Cut government spending – but not Medicare.
A new Monitor/TIPP poll finds Americans favor cutting government spending to solve the fiscal cliff, but few want to cut entitlements such as Medicare, which make up most of the budget.
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Obama, Boehner meet to discuss 'fiscal cliff' negotiations (+video)
The President and Speaker of the House met privately at the White House on Sunday.
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More Republicans agree to higher tax rates for the wealthy
Recognizing that President Obama has the upper hand, more Republicans say they're now willing to consider higher tax rates for the wealthy. On Sunday, it was Sen. Bob Corker (R) of Tennessee.
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Obama: Republicans blocking middle-class tax cuts
President Barack Obama said Saturday that Republicans in the House are blocking a bill that would prevent a tax increase on the first $250,000 of income earned by all Americans.
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Fiscal cliff debate: 'Lines of communication are open'
Spokespeople for both sides of the fiscal cliff debate indicated that they may be communicating. In the meantime, economists warned that failure to strike a deal could strike a blow to the economy, perhaps plunging the country back into recession.
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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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Obama remains firm, new poll shows support for position on 'fiscal cliff'
While insisting that tax rates go up on the top 2 percent of American earners, President Obama has called for government spending cuts but by less than the Republicans want.
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Obama attempts 'fiscal cliff' coup: winning over business leaders
The business community usually trends Republican – and President Obama didn't do much to woo it in his first term. But he's pushing hard to get CEOs on his side in 'fiscal cliff' talks.
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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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Fiscal cliff: Is there a deal in the making?
President Obama and House Speaker John Boehner disagree about whether tax rates on the top two percent of earners should go up. The White House says, 'yes' and Republicans say, 'no'. Most Americans don't think the two sides will reach an agreement by January 1, according to a recent poll. But others are more optimistic.
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Stocks little changed; Investors await budget deal
Stocks changed little Tuesday on Wall Street as fiscal cliff negotiations continued in Washington. Some say stock trading will grow in volatility the longer budget talks progress without a deal.
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Robert Reich Fiscal cliff: 8 principles for Democrats
Reich offers some principles to Democrats as a guide to negotiating with Republicans on the fiscal cliff.
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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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Stocks edge lower after weak manufacturing report
A surprisingly weak manufacturing report sent stocks lower Monday. December is historically the best month for stocks.
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GOP 'fiscal cliff' counteroffer: What's in it?
GOP leaders responded to President Obama's 'fiscal cliff' proposal with their own. It calls for new tax revenue and turns to a Democratic idea for spending cuts, but it doesn't raise tax rates.
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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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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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Decoder Wire 'Fiscal cliff' proposal: Is Obama trying to peeve GOP?
President Obama's fiscal cliff plan calls for, among other things, $1.6 trillion in tax increases over 10 years. But what really appears to annoy Republicans is the lack of specificity on spending cuts.
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Robert Reich Obama makes opening move in 'fiscal cliff' deal
President Barack Obama has started the bidding on the 'fiscal cliff' deal with substantial concessions on tax increases and spending cuts, Reich writes.
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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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