Number: RS22008
Title: Federal Spending for Older Americans
Authors: April Grady, and William Joseph Klunk, Domestic Social Policy Division 
Abstract: Whatever the magnitude, this spending growth will confront Congress with difficult choices. The share of the federal budget devoted to older Americans is growing, leaving less available for other spending priorities and leading many observers to warn that current policies are unsustainable because they would require markedly higher taxation or debt levels that could adversely affect the economy. Although Social Security spending can be altered via changes to the benefit formula, options for reducing long-term growth in Medicare and Medicaid may be less straightforward.
Pages: 6
Date: January 25, 2007