The same money can't be spent twice. ObamaCare tries to do precisely that, and the government will have to borrow the difference.

Joseph Antos' analysis of Medicare's fiscal crisis and reform options that could make the program sustatainable; a response to a request from 16 health professionals elected to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives for public comment on Medicare reform. 

Joesph Antos' statement on premium support for Medicare before the House Committee on Ways and Means' Subcommittee on Health

Cutting the payroll tax cut, or even eventually eliminating it, might make more sense - if it happens on the Medicare, rather than Social Security side, of FICA.

Until the legislative process takes into account the long-term consequences of short-term policy actions (and inactions), we have no assurance that Medicare can be saved.

Last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services released its latest report showing how the burden of health spending is divided between government, private business, and households. What may surprise some readers is just how little of health spending is paid directly by households.

Without the dodgy accounting of "off balance sheet borrowing," the Reid Senate bill actually increases the non-Social Security/Medicare deficit by almost $250 billion.

Medicare is too important to allow it to fail. It can be saved, but only if politicians take the difficult actions that are needed.