People on Medicare

The Health Care Crisis and Medicare

More than 70 million "baby boomers" will soon be eligible for Medicare – we have to be ready. Medicare pays out more than it takes in. If something doesn't change soon, the agency will face bankruptcy – leaving behind an insupportable debt to the tune of some $65 trillion. We must make changes that will allow us to care for those who currently depend on Medicare as well as those who depend on it in the future.

To meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities we need to answer this question: "What are the needs and preferences of seniors and people with disabilities in our communities?" If we can have a dialogue about this important question we will find that there would be many recommended changes to the program we know as Medicare.

Most of us would choose to live our last days in comfort at home or in a home-like setting. For all the great things that Medicare has accomplished, it does not cover the kind of care options that most people want and prefer, many of which are much less expensive than the high-tech, acute care options that Medicare does cover.

Those currently on Medicare are not placing the program at risk – it's the generation coming next – the baby boomers. There were 78 million children born between 1946 and 1964. Our health care system must prepare innovative ways to deliver care while not bankrupting the system.

We must rely on the strength of the generation who fought in World War II, who had the wisdom to create programs like Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid – programs that have enriched the lives of many Americans. We need to be that bold and create a sustainable health system for the 21st century.

Medicare, which so many people depend on, is not safe or secure - the Federal Reserve Chairman, Ben Bernanke recently called Medicare and Social Security "unsustainable retirement programs." His reason: there are 45 million people currently on Medicare, while close to 70 million baby boomers will enter Medicare beginning in 2011.

Bernanke also said that we need to reform Medicare and Social Security sooner than later – otherwise the federal government will be left with decreasing benefits, increasing taxes, cutting other federal programs, or cutting retirement benefits – or some combination of all four.

Social Security and Medicare have done great things, reducing the number of seniors who spend themselves into poverty. We can design a health system that makes more sense, pay for services that seniors need and prefer and spend less while doing so.

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