Aging Social Policy

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Debbie Hassler Aging and Social Policy September 12, 2011 “Report: Social Security, Medicare Funds Running Out Sooner Than Expected” In the article “Report: Social Security, Medicare Funds Running Out Sooner Than Expected” Tim Femholz, makes the case that it may be necessary to find solutions to these problems sooner than later. He states three major conditions, the “economic challenges, (and) Long-term trends of population aging and health care costs.” (1) In Femholz article he argues, that the country’s two social insurance programs, Social Security and Medicare will be exhausted especially the Medicare hospital insurance fund which will exhaust in 2024, and the Social Security trust fund will expire in 2036. Femholz, gives several…show more content…
We must urge our politicians to look carefully and make choices that will help the people and not to play up to the people who have money. I do not have enough money saved for retirement and would need Social Security and Medicare in later years. I know that the majority of federal spending is defense-related or interest on the debt and the rest goes to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. Medicaid is often thought of as a poverty program, but today it is used largely to provide nursing care for the elderly or disabled. I would like to have these programs in place when I am in my 70’s or 80’s because how will I be able to afford the costs of nursing care or home health care without…show more content…
I feel that this should be a choice and that the longer you work the greater the amount of money you would receive. The people who do not need Social Security money for their retirement might want to retire sooner. They would then get the minimum benefit, this would keep more money in the Social Security Fund. The negative side to this is that a number of women, minorities, and low income workers, especially if their occupations are physically demanding may not have enough money if the payout is lower to retire at an earlier age. It may also be unfair to African Americans who have shorter life spans than Hispanics and non-Hispanics whites, and who may pay years into a system from which they might not benefit for as
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