US Medicare Costs Now 7.5% of GDP
October 4, 2035 - The US administration announced today that Medicare costs for this year will be 7.5% of GDP. This is the highest number ever and almost three times as much as 30 years ago. The reason for the increase is of course the aging population.
Five years ago, the youngest people born during the baby boom (a period of time with exceptional birth rates, from 1946, after the end of the Second World War, to 1965) reached age 65 and became eligible for Medicare. This year, Medicare provides coverage for 83 million people who are 65 and older or disabled.
The Medicare costs will continue to increase in the future, with another 10 million eligible by year 2055, with a total of 9.8% of GDP.
Argument: According to United States Department of Health and Human Services the costs for Medicare will be 7.5% of GDP by year 2035.
Questions: In 2077 there will only be two workers on every Medicare beneficiary, compared to four workers today, which will put a unprecedented pressure on the working generation. What kind of system is needed to take care of this problem?
By Pontus Edenberg
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Comments:
Medicare will be rolled into a combination program with Medicaid long before this and will be grandfathered and means tested. Eligibility will only come by age 70. Any one wanting access to cutting edge and quality care will be paying with cash or plastic, as in the next few years any capable physician is going to opt out of the overly regulated, underpaid behemoth of a Federal program. Future retirees should not plan on Medicare participation, and should have $500,000-$1,000,000 planed as retirement savings for their health care alone. They will be negotiating the payment at market rates.
Posted by: Samuel Hunter