MEDIA ADVISORY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Monday, September 07, 1998 

Medicare Problem Twice As Bad As Social Security Economist To Offer NCPA Solution To Medicare Reform

The National Bipartisan Commission on Medicare Reform will receive an advance briefing on a 10 point plan to eliminate Medicare's $8.9 trillion shortfall.

WHO:

 Thomas Saving, Ph.D.
National Center for Policy Analysis Senior Fellow
and Director of the Private Enterprise Research Center at Texas A&M University

WHAT:

 Medicare reform testimony before the National Bipartisan Commission on Medicare

WHEN:

 1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 8, 1998

WHERE:

Room 202
Adams Building
Library of Congress

Among the information Dr. Saving will share with the commission:

  • The financial crisis facing Medicare is twice as bad as Social Security's problems.

  • Medicare's unfunded liability is more than twice that of Social Security and more than twice the total federal debt.

  • For today's college student to collect Medicare benefits, the next generation (most of whom are not yet born) will have to pay out one dollar of every seven dollars they earn to cover the medical bills of the elderly.

Dr. Saving's testimony will be based on excerpts from a forthcoming study that is part of a joint project between the NCPA and PERC. The two-year project is designed to develop viable solutions to Medicare and Social Security reform and includes the development of a comprehensive simulation model for analyzing Medicare and Social Security programs.

The National Center for Policy Analysis is a public policy research institute founded in 1983 and internationally known for its studies on public policy issues. The NCPA is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with an office in Washington, D.C.

For more information:
Joan Kirby, Washington, DC 202-628- 6671
Jil Hicks, Dallas, TX 972-386-6272
Internet: http://www.ncpa.org


Home |  Support Us |  All Issues |  Social Security
Debate Central |  Contact Us