This week on Off the Charts, we focused on the federal budget and taxes, health care, and Social Security.
On the federal budget and taxes, we compiled a roundup of everything you need to know about the House-passed budget that House Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan proposed, including analyses on how it would affect taxes, health care, and the safety net. Chye-Ching Huang noted that there’s no evidence that tax breaks for capital gains and dividends contribute to economic growth.
On health care, Paul Van de Water explained that, contrary to recent claims, the Affordable Care Act has significantly improved Medicare’s long-term financial outlook, and he detailed two ways the health reform law strengthens Medicare’s bottom line. January Angeles discussed how millions of poor, uninsured adults could be left without access to health insurance if their states do not expand Medicaid to cover low-income adults under the ACA.
On Social Security, Kathy Ruffing wished the program a happy 77th birthday and described its success as the most important source of income for its elderly beneficiaries.