aei state of the union series: medicare
DESCRIPTION
A presentation on Medicare by Joseph Antos at the AEI State of the Union series health care event.TRANSCRIPT
State of the Union: Medicare AEI on the HillJanuary 29, 2013
Joseph R. Antos, Ph.D.Wilson H. Taylor Scholar in Health Care and Retirement PolicyAmerican Enterprise Institute
AEI2
Has Medicare $ turned the corner?
2008 2009 2010 2011
-4.0%
-3.0%
-2.0%
-1.0%
0.0%
1.0%
2.0%
3.0%
4.0%
5.0%
6.0%5.3%
4.3%
1.8%
3.6%
0.9%
-3.1%
2.9% 3.2%
MedicareGDP
Slower Per Capita Medicare Spending in Last 3 Years
Total Medicare spending continues to grow significantly faster than the economy—Is GDP + ½% feasible?
Comparable growth rates for total spending and GDP: 8.0% 1.9% 6.9% -2.2% 4.3% 3.8% 6.2% 4.0%
3
AEI4
Federal health spending and the budget
Social Security Medicare Medicaid, CHIP, Exchange
Other Spending Interest Deficit0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
5.0
3.7
1.7
11.6
1.4
7.7
6.26.7
3.7
9.6 9.5
17.2
2012 2037
Federal spending as a percentage of GDP, Alternative Fiscal Scenario*
Assumes aging accounts for 52% of growth in health spending and 68% in health and Social Security
*Assumes Medicare physician fees held at 2012 level, IPAB does not take effect, current law reductions in per-person exchange subsidies not enforced, other automatic spending reductions not enforced.
AEI
Better choices for seniors Better incentives for providers More effective competition among
health plans Greater security for beneficiaries,
today and tomorrow
5
Key elements of Medicare reform
AEI
Simplify and improve Medicare’s benefit◦ Combine Part A + Part B; single deductible; catastrophic
limit Reform Medigap
◦ Limit first dollar coverage Promote fair competition
◦ Similar to Part D: Plan bids determine risk-adjusted payment, better information for seniors to choose traditional Medicare or private plan
Reform payment policies◦ Permanently resolve physician payment
Align eligibility age with longevity
6
A menu of practical options