Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Declining Birth Rates Pose Challenge For Social Security, Medicare
The Kansas City Star: Social Security And Medicare Likely To Feel The Effects In The Future Of Today’s Declining Births
A new Urban Institute study shows “there has been a decline in birth rates between 2007 and 2012 for all American women ages 20 to 29.” It’s being called the biggest drop of any generation in U.S. history. The effect on Social Security and Medicare could mirror what the programs are facing now with more than 75 million baby boomers retiring in the coming years but there being fewer millennials paying into the retirement and health care systems to keep them afloat financially. Millennials, who also are having fewer children now largely because of the Great Recession and the relentlessly weak economy, may have to confront the same underfed Social Security and Medicare problem. (Diuguid, 4/30)
Detroit Free Press: Renowned Journalist Blames Health Care Costs On Prices
Renowned journalist and media entrepreneur Steven Brill came face to face in Detroit on Thursday with two high-level local executives within the industry -- health care -- that is lately in his crosshairs. With a mix of real life anecdotes and bold assertions, the founder of Court TV told a Detroit Economic Club audience why he believes health care costs are so high in the U.S. in comparison to other developed nations. (Reindl, 4/30)
