Medicare

In Brief

America’s largest public health program has contributed substantially to the well-being of America’s oldest citizens. Some say Medicare represents a working model of national health insurance. Yet, with fewer workers paying into the system since the recession began in December 2007, the program is moving closer to insolvency. Coupled with rising health costs, reforming Medicare is considered crucial.

Janet Zamora has her hands held by dental assistant Ramora Ory at Comprehensive Dentistry in Bloomingdale, Illinois (REUTERS/Jim Young).

Opinion

How to Build a Better Health-care System

April 18, 2013, Tom Daschle, Bill Frist, Pete V. Domenici and Alice M. Rivlin

Alice Rivlin, Tom Daschle, Bill Frist and Pete Domenici identify the drivers of rising health care spending and outline a plan to transform the health care system in a way that would not just shift costs but would promote transparency, protect patient choice, and enhance the quality and value of the nation’s health care.

Recent Activity

Refine by: Health | Medicaid | U.S. Economic Performance | U.S. Budget Deficit

Past Event

Bending the Curve: Person-Centered Health Care Reform

April 29, 2013
Past Event

Reforming Medicare: Fiscal Challenges and Policy Solutions

April 22, 2013
Opinion | The Washington Post

Payments to Elders Are Harming Our Future

March 8, 2013, Harry J. Holzer and Isabel V. Sawhill
Policy Proposal

Restructuring Cost Sharing and Supplemental Insurance for Medicare

February 26, 2013, Jonathan Gruber
Policy Proposal | The Hamilton Project

Transitioning to Bundled Payments in Medicare

February 26, 2013, Michael Chernew and Dana Goldman
Blog Post

15 Ideas for Smart Deficit Reduction

February 20, 2013, Michael Greenstone and Adam Looney, The Hamilton Project | comments
Opinion | Yahoo! Finance

Where Is the Urgency on the Debt Ceiling?

January 9, 2013, Henry J. Aaron
Opinion | Democracy: A Journal of Ideas

Progressives and the Safety Net

Fall 2012, Henry J. Aaron
In the News

Right now in this political campaign, both sides are trying to scare people by saying this other guy will destroy Medicare. No one is going to destroy Medicare.
October 10, 2012, Alice M. Rivlin, MarketWatch
Opinion | Real Clear Markets

After the 2012 Election, Is a Return to Sanity Possible?

October 2, 2012, Henry J. Aaron