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Natalia Szarmach
Mr. Bradley
Government Period 2
17 October 2016
Social Security and Medicare Reform Act of 2016
While the 2016 presidential candidates have done an outstanding job of avoiding this
very controversial subject, it should not be ignored. Medicare alone touches the lives of at least
59,963,425 Americans, according to a 2015 Social Security Beneficiary Statistic chart. These
helpful funds make life easier for many Americans. However, this system is taken advantage of,
doesnt have adequate funding and has too many beneficiaries enrolled. As a result, it is very
close to be entirely drained. What does that mean for todays childrens futures? How will our
future leaders save this necessity in modern American life? This reform act is of utmost
importance to America and its citizens. The decreased benefits with raised taxes on the wealthy
will help the effort of stabilizing funds, thorough background checks will help avoid the loss of
money due to fraud and our specific requirements and deestablishment of Medicare will ensure
our children will have something to support them when they require it..
Decreasing the amount of money a beneficiary will receive monthly will aid in building
up the funds again. The average amount an enrollee received in 2011 was $1,180.80 per month.
(Social Security Administration).The tax rate for these recipients was 5.65% for the employed,
7.65% for employers and 13.30% for the self-employed. Were these tax rates to increase slightly
for people earning more than $100,000 annually, more money would be brought into the funds,
and more would be able to be distributed. If for 5-10 years the benefits were to be lowered and
taxes raised, the funds would be at least partially replenished. Social security is estimated to run

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out of funds starting in 2019 and be completely depleted in 2028 (Fortune Comments). If
America could prevent this from happening, that leaves hope for future generations of
Americans(Social Security Reform Center). Raising taxes and lowering benefits would
eventually lead to rebuilding the funds of our Nations social security. Though, the amount of
people isnt the only issue- there are also a few other contributing factors.
The SSA and medicare loses too much money yearly as a result of false applicants. A
simple solution to this would be thorough background checks on each applicant. It is estimated
there is a 10% waste in funds every year in Medicare cue to false names and such. If there was a
more rigorous application process, this problem would stop being so imminent. Medicare also
creates a system the United States cant support financially (The Heritage Foundation.) By the
year 2023, Medicare costs are expected to exceed $1 Trillion. If medicare were to be abolished
and people were to use private health insurance, America could put more money to Social
Security, and beneficiaries could then put that money towards medical expenses.Former
Republican candidate Ben Carson proposed a cradle-to-grave system that would make more
sense for our current dilemma (Politico).
If America were to get rid of the Medicare and Medicaid system, it would save the
country a significant amount of money. Ben Carson never wanted to take it away completely, just
modify it. (On The Issues). If people had the option of having a health plan outside of the
government, they would benefit tremendously, as would the government. Medicare and Social
security could be merged and funds would begin growing again. Carson had previously said he
wanted to replace Medicare with a system of health savings accounts for seniors but now says he
would give them the option of keeping traditional Medicare if they prefer. (Washington Post).

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The biggest argument against this proposition is that none of these systems are actually
going bankrupt. These claims are false, and quite frankly ridiculous. Since the 1930s this system
has been helpful in aiding families get back on their feet, But since then, poverty levels have
only continued to grow, causing the system to back up and become bankrupt more rapidly with
each year. Another claim is that without Medicare, there would be no good healthcare system,
but in reality it would help increase Social Security funds by saving billions of dollars in
healthcare. Even in 2028, when the HI trust fund is projected for exhaustion, incoming payroll
taxes and other revenue will still be sufficient to pay 87 percent of Medicare hospital insurance
costs.[1] The share of costs covered by dedicated revenues will decline slowly to 79 percent in
2040. (Policy Futures)
In conclusion, America is in dire need of a reform to its current social security and
medicare systems. The problem could be easily fixed by raising taxes with lowered benefits,
thorough background checks and reestablishing Medicare to be more sustainable by the
government. America cannot stand by any longer and watch these two programs collapse and do
nothing.

Works Cited
Beland, Daniel. Social Security: History and Politics from the New Deal to the Privatization
Debate. Lawrence, Kan.: U of Kansas, 2005. Print.

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By Contrast, the Proportion of Women Who Are Insured Has Increased Dramaticallyfrom
63% to 85% Fully Insured and from 41% to 74% Insured for Disability. "Social Security
Administration." Fast Facts & Figures About Social Security, 2011. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct.
2016.
"Debate over Medicare, Social Security, Other Federal Benefits Divides GOP." Washington Post.
The Washington Post, n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
"Medicare Is Not "Bankrupt"" Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct.
2016.
Schreckinger, By Ben, By Cristiano Lima, By Florian Eder and Alberto Mucci, By Andrew
Glass, By Matthew Karnitschnig and Janosch Delcker, By Kevin Robillard, By Nolan D.
McCaskill and Cristiano Lima, By Rachael Bade and Jake Sherman, By Louis Nelson, By
Josh Gerstein, By Michael Grunwald, By Madeline Conway, By Katie Glueck, By Brent
Griffiths, By Nahal Toosi, By Jack Shafer, By Kenneth P. Vogel and Zach Montellaro, By
Henry C. Jackson, By Yousef Saba, By Sarah Karlin-Smith and Brett Norman, By Nolan
D. McCaskill, By POLITICO Staff, By Hadas Gold, By Isaac Arnsdorf, By Matthew
Nussbaum, By David Herszenhorn, By Cynthia Kroet, By Kyle Cheney and Jason
Millman, By Seung Min Kim, By Sarah Wheaton, By Colin Woodard, By Dana Goldstein,
and By Matthew Goodwin. "Dr. Ben Carson's Prescription: Abolish Medicare."
POLITICO. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
"Social Security." Beneficiary Statistics. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Oct. 2016.
"Social Security Reform Center - Facts." Social Security Reform Center - Facts. N.p., n.d. Web.
18 Oct. 2016.

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W., Daniel. "Social Security Disability Benefits Fraud." Disability Benefits Help. N.p., 29 Dec.
2010. Web.