For many years, there has been discussion, most prominently, although not exclusively, by the Republican party, to restructure, real meaning to cut, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. There seems to be no consideration of the ramifications of cutting these very essential programs. For decades, the Republican party has complained about these so-called socialist programs but have never explained how millions of elderly and millions of lower income individuals and families would survive without these programs. Please note that the U.S. pales by comparison to several of the more developed countries in world in their support for the whole of society.
You can have a low wage economic policy (minimum wage at $7.25/hour) but must also have a reasonable government safety net to help people survive or have a high wage society (unions, $15+ minimum wage, very affordable health care, and an employee-oriented not an employer dominated economy) that provides less government safety net programs. In many European countries they have higher, in some cases much higher, minimum wages and a high level of government support for all members of their society.
One of the most notable targets of budget cutting is Medicaid. As of November 2022, Medicaid and CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) covered more than 91.7 million individuals in the United States at a cost approaching $800 billion. The highest level of expenditures under Medicaid/Chip is the 32% ($250+ Million) paid for care of 9.4 million disabled (physically, developmentally and mentally disabled). The smallest age group is those over 65, involving 8 million individuals living in some type of long-term care facility that cost Medicaid $144 billion, children aged 0-20 account or 38% ($104 million) or 26 million children participating in Medicaid/Chip. Eliminating any portion of the Medicaid/Chip program would undoubtedly put some very vulnerable children and adults at great risk and eliminating medical care for medically needed children and adults will mean needless lost lives.
I attended a community meeting at UND about 20-30 years ago to discuss issues and concerns of several communities surrounding Grand Forks. We had small group discussions and discussed a wide range of topics. I remember during our discussion about health care, a very conservative Grand Forks businessman expressed the opinion that if you can’t care for yourself or pay for your health care, that person should just die when seriously ill and do so quickly. I remember mentioning to the other 5-6 people at the table that he indeed meant that, and he agreed that he did. While this is not a prominent belief among the Republican party, it is very likely a higher percentage of Republicans than we would like to believe.
Can anyone really fathom what eliminating $144 billion from reimbursement to long-term care facilities would mean and the personal and economic upheaval that this action would inflict on society for several years because of this careless and shortsighted effort? How would the 9.4 million disabled handle their diverse and complicated medical needs, and would we simply doom many children with extreme medical needs to a quick death? Budget cuts have real world consequences and can’t be just brushed aside because a couple of billionaires feel these areas of federal spending should be cut simply because that is where big savings can be achieved to pay for anticipated tax cut for the very wealthy.
Both Social Security and Medicare have budgetary issues, however, cutting either or both would increase the ranks of poverty among the elderly substantially and throw many seniors into extreme poverty. Believing that even cutting these programs would not have a serious economic impact on the country and wouldn’t panic and traumatize millions of those over 65 lacks any understanding that supports the formation of a more perfect union as described in the constitution.
Those taking the helm of our federal government have stated that there will be a period of pain that must be weathered before things get better. The problem is that most of the pain will be inflicted on those most vulnerable in our society, but don’t expect most of middle class not to experience a good deal of the pain they are not anticipating,
It is easy to talk about restructuring/cutting, Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid/CHIP, but dealing with the ramifications of cutting these programs, however they may be disliked by many Republicans, will produce a backlash that has never been seen in this country by a broad coalition of our society. Could get very interesting to see the military called in to stop destitute elderly and disabled people from protesting budgetary cuts needed to offset tax cuts for the most affluent members of our society. These tax cuts in essence pay off their political campaign investments, and they do view campaign contributions as an investment that garners a sizeable return.
