Is Medicare not social medicine?
Yes. And even conservatives have bought that because they paid into it, it’s theirs
And it’s currently trimming back what it’s willing to pay, is facing insolvency, and has trillions in unfunded liabilities. Anyone who is on Medicare should also have supplemental insurance
The financial problems facing Medicare, like SS, mostly stem from the fact that there’s more people living longer than when both were enacted. That, and there isn't enough younger people to pay. Also, and keep an eye out for this in the future, many states, especially CA, NY, and Ill., are facing insurmountable public employee pension crisis.
You speak often of how Europe is great and does not have the same issues facing them but rest assured, they do. Like this country, the average person on Medicare likes it but most have no idea the problems facing it. They just go to the Doctor or hospital and Medicare pays for part of it. Most never heard of the word “insolvencyâ€or “unfunded liabilitiesâ€
I don’t see either SS or Medicare disappearing entirely, although Medicare is in more trouble that SS. But they’ll become more restricted on who and what they’ll pay.
Another thing to watch going forward is all these new Medicaid sign ups under Obamacare in the next decade or so
Politicians in Europe, like those here, know the issues facing their overly generous social programs. But taking away or restricting who receives them is hard once people have come to expect them
Also, add the rise of automation in this mix