Federal spending mandated by our major entitlement programs (Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid) today comprises the majority of the federal budget and will bankrupt the United States absent imminent structural reforms.
Not only do these entitlement programs drain federal spending dollars, but they don’t do a particularly good job of delivering promised services and benefits. Social Security provides a shameful rate of return for most recipients, especially when compared with private sector alternatives. And seniors and the poor are finding it increasingly difficult to find a doctor who will accept Medicare or Medicaid patients.
IPI has proposed specific, concrete solutions that would not only make these programs solvent and sustainable, but also deliver superior benefits. Entitlements should not be reformed solely for the benefit of the federal government, but also for the benefit of taxpayers and recipients.
Benefit of Pensions Shown to Be Widespread
Determining how much of the increase in health-care premiums can be attributed to the ACA is tricky, IPI reports. Increases are based on actuarial estimates which are educated guesses about factors including the estimated ratio of sick and healthy people in a particular insurance pool, the normal growth in health-care costs, and government regulations.
All Quiet, Too Quiet, In Allocation Nation
IPI's Merrill Matthews analyzed 2013 Census Bureau data and Affordable Care Act figures and concluded that about 52 percent of American households receive benefits from one or more government programs. These figures cut through Democratic spin and make clear that a majority of American households do not pay anywhere near their pro rata share of government spending. This has important implications for both public policy and politics.
Taxpayers' Share of Federal Debt Is Down - To One Million
Wouldn’t it be good policy, as well as good finances, that instead of every taxpayer owing $1 million, they owned $1 million—the result of a lifetime of saving their payroll taxes rather than handing them over to big-spending Uncle Sam?
Elements of a Republican Reform Agenda
Powerpoint presentation given by IPI President Tom Giovanetti to the North Texas Strategy & Victory Conference in Grapevine, Texas on September 27, 2014.
Obama's Honor-nomics
President Obama’s complete inability to pass liberal legislation that actually works—or now to pass any legislation at all—has driven him to rely on the honor system in the hope that people will do the right thing in several policy arenas.
Did Ending Long-Term Unemployment Benefits Grow the Workforce?
The Obama administration wants to continue extending unemployment benefits; Republicans stopped them and—surprise!—now more Americans are reentering the workforce.
As the Americans with Disabilities Act Turns 25, Government Policies Help and Hurt
The ADA has helped improve the disableds’ access, even as recent economic policies have hurt their financial status.
We've Crossed The Tipping Point; Most Americans Now Receive Government Benefits
Obamacare has pushed us over the entitlements tipping point.
How does Congress punish the VA for incompetence, mismanagement and fraud? Double its budget
Apparently it’s good to delay veterans’ health care, fabricate medical records, cover up the fraud and harass whistleblowers—because Congress is rewarding such behavior.
Worried about Inequality? Then Focus on Helping the Poor, not Punishing the Rich
Merrill Matthews of the Institute for Policy Innovation makes a powerful case for Social Security reform.
Total Records: 190
