What are some future challenges affecting Medicare?
Medicare faces many challenges, including how to finance care for an aging population with a declining ratio of workers to beneficiaries. According to the Medicare at a Glance, Fact Sheet, Kaiser Family Foundation (2007), federal spending on Medicare is expected to continue to grow with the aging population and the new drug benefit. The annual growth in Medicare spending is influenced by the increasing volume and utilization of services and higher prices for health care services. Part A Trust Fund reserves are projected to be exhausted in 2018. Other future challenges include ensuring the successful implementation of the drug benefit, setting fair payments to providers and plans, improving care for those with multiple chronic conditions, and providing adequate financial protections for those with low incomes. Ensuring Medicare’s financial stability, while providing for the health care needs of an aging population, is a pressing challenge for the United States. Sources: The Basics: Medi
Medicare faces many challenges, including how to finance care for an aging population with a declining ratio of workers to beneficiaries. According to the Medicare at a Glance, Fact Sheet, Kaiser Family Foundation (2010), federal spending on Medicare is expected to continue to grow with the aging population and the new drug benefit. The annual growth in Medicare spending is influenced by the increasing volume and utilization of services and higher prices for health care services. Part A Trust Fund reserves are projected to be exhausted in 2018. Other future challenges include ensuring the successful implementation of the drug benefit, setting fair payments to providers and plans, improving care for those with multiple chronic conditions, and providing adequate financial protections for those with low incomes. Ensuring Medicare’s financial stability, while providing for the health care needs of an aging population, is a pressing challenge for the United States. Sources: The Basics: Medi
