overview of entitlement...
TRANSCRIPT
OVERVIEW OF ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS
• ENTITLEMENT: PROGRAM THAT
GUARANTEES A SPECIFIC LEVEL OF
BENEFITS TO PERSONS WHO MEET
REQUIREMENTS SET BY LAW
• BY FAR THE LARGEST PORTION OF
MANDATORY SPENDING
OVERVIEW OF ENTITLEMENT PROGRAMS• BARRIER TO BALANCED BUDGETS
• AVAILABLE TO ALL
• SOCIAL SECURITY
• MEDICARE
• AVAILABLE TO THOSE WITH INCOMES
BELOW A CERTAIN LEVEL
• MEDICAID
• HOUSING ASSISTANCE
• FOOD STAMPS
DIFFERENCES OF OPINION• LIBERALS
• GOVERNMENT HAS AN OBLIGATION TO
PROVIDE FOR SOCIAL WELFARE
• CONSERVATIVES
• ENTITLEMENTS USURP RESPONSIBILITY
AND ARE USED TO CREATE A PERMANENT
UNDERPRIVILEGED CLASS DEPENDENT ON
GOVERNMENT HANDOUTS
SOCIAL SECURITY
• FUNCTION
• PAY 6-8% OF FIRST $106,800
• RETIREES RECEIVE MONTHLY
PAYMENTS
• DISABILITY INSURANCE
• TEMPORARY UNEMPLOYMENT
INSURANCE
SOCIAL SECURITY• FUTURE THREATS
• INSUFFICIENT NUMBER OF PEOPLE PAYING INTO THE SYSTEM
• “GRAYING OF AMERICA”
• BABY BOOM RETIREES
• INCREASING LIFE EXPECTANCY
• WORKER TO BENEFICIARY RATIO
• 1938—25:1
• 2015—3:1
• 2040—2:1
SOCIAL SECURITY
• POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
• RAISE RETIREMENT AGE
• FREEZE BENEFITS
• RAISE FICA TAXES
• INVESTMENT
• PRIVATIZATION
HEALTH CARE•MEDICARE
• HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE
TO PEOPLE OVER 65
• NEARLY BANKRUPT DUE TO
HIGH MEDICAL COSTS
•MEDICAID
• HEALTH CARE ASSISTANCE
TO THE POOR, DISABLED,
AND CHILDREN
SOCIAL WELFARE• DESIGNED TO HELP TARGETED GROUPS
• WELFARE: INCOME/HOUSING ASSISTANCE
• FOOD STAMPS: NUTRITION/INCREASE
BUYING POWER
• DESPITE WELL-INTENTIONED EFFORTS,
POVERTY LEVELS HAVE BEEN CONSTANT
AND REMAINED A PERPETUAL PROBLEM
SINCE THE FIRST WELFARE PROGRAMS
WERE ESTABLISHED IN THE NEW DEAL