http://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T043-C012-S003-big-changes-coming-for-medicare-social-security.html?rid=SYN-yahoo&rpageid=13662Big Changes Coming for Medicare, Social Security
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http://www.kiplinger.com/kipimages/staff/98.jpgMartha Lynn Craver
Republicans will risk political pushback to put entitlement programs on the agenda during the presidential election.
By Martha Lynn Craver, June 16, 2015
Some changes are in the wind for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid—entitlement programs that account for 45% of the federal government’s payouts.
Many of the changes are still years away. But some of them will start next year, smack in the middle of the presidential election campaign, forcing candidates to address issues that they and their advisers generally try to steer clear of when they’re running.
Kicking off the rare election-year debate: a move to rescue the Social Security disability fund before 20% cuts in monthly payments need to be made (recipients are people unable to work because of illness or injury). Congress will find a solution before money runs short in fall 2016. Tighter eligibility standards are likely to be added as a condition of more money being pumped into the fund.
A less visible change with a broader effect will come with Medicare’s emphasis on value over volume. By the end of 2016, 30% of Medicare payments to providers will be value based. By 2019, that figure will jump to 50%.
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http://www.kiplinger.com/article/business/T043-C012-S003-big-changes-coming-for-medicare-social-security.html#IOStTzqsVTU3HoWU.99
