The Ecnomics of Medicare

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The Economics Of Medicare II. Introduction Clearly, the Medicaid program is ripe for a major overhaul, a task that the federal government has thus far been unwilling to undertake. I chose this topic because I believe that the Medicaid program can be rescued and revitalized by leadership; otherwise, it is likely to be eroded. Medicaid is a government-sponsored program whose objective is to provide patients with health assistance upon meeting specific criteria. Medicaid is an insurance program that is available for disadvantaged persons, including the elderly, who cannot afford health benefits because of low incomes or other factors. This program is subsidized by government funds and in many instances, will cover the costs of basic medical care as well as specialized testing and supplies. What are the problems with Medicaid and what should be done about them? This paper will look at 6 articles about the economics of Medicaid and analyze what should be done about this problem. III. Summary of Article #1 In the article titled, "Health: Medicare and the Economy," by: Dean Foust, found in Business Week and published in 2004, it is stated that, cuts in Medicare would be bad for hospitals and other managed-care providers. Although the United States is considered the strongest country in the world, there are numerous political, social, and economic issues that require reform to improve our way of life. Reform is needed for the health care system in order for Americans to live a life that is both safe and prosperous. Health care and prescription drug costs, whose escalating prices have caused many Americans to go without adequate medical care. Health care is one of the most controversial issues in the news right now. The co... ... middle of paper ... ...one the rising costs of health care costs is going to overwhelm the U.S. economy. Works Cited HEALTH: MEDICARE AND THE ECONOMY, By: Dean Foust, 6-28-04, Business Week MEDICARE: ISSUES IN THE POLITICAL ECONOMY, By: Jonathan Oberlander, Feb. 2001, Journal of Health Politics AN UNHEALTHY ECONOMY, By: Paul Barr and Jeff Tieman, 11-29-02, Modern Healthcare MENDING MEDICARE, By: Bruce C. Vladeck, Spring 2000, Issues in Science & Technology EFFECTS OF MEDICAL RESEARCH ON HEALTH CARE AND THE ECONOMY, By: Herbert Pardes, Kenneth G. Manton, Eric S. Lander, H. Dennis Tolley, Arthur D. Ullian, Hans Palmer, 01-01-99, Academic Search Premier HEALTH CARE REFORM IN THE 1990S: AN ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEMS AND THREE PROPOSALS, By: Robert F. Scuka, Sept. 1994, Social Work

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