NY Times Column

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/09/opinion/brooks-the-policy-verdict-i.html?partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&_r=0

Ethos-credit	Pathos-emotion	Logos-logic
·         Congressional Budget Office (medicare cost) and study ·         Urban Institute (medicare taxes) ·         Journal of the American Medical Association (published study) ·         RAND Corporation (study) ·         Senator John Breaux ·         Democrat Alice Rivlin ·         Republican Pete Domenici ·         Senator Ryan Wyden ·         Demonstration project in Denver	·         “sucking away money from other government programs” despair, worried ·         How much we pay->unfair, ·         Mixed emotions (wanting to help others but taking away from the rest of America) ·         Having a voice ·         “should weigh on conscience of every American over 55	·         (today) medicare costs $550 billlion ·         By 2020, $1 trillion ·         Average couple in 2010 paid $109,000 in medicare taxes but would be able to receive about $343,00 in benefits ·         Chunk of that $234,00 gap paid for by their grandchildren ·         1997-2005 medicare payments fell by 5%-total spent 35% ·         Ryan-wyden in 2006 & 2009 costs reduced by 9%, no reduction in benefits ·         Project in Denver: private plans bid 25%-38% less than government-determined payment rates ·         2006 voucher approach-30% below early estimates ·         RAND incentive monitor-14% less costs