Social Security & Medicare Notes: October 2005

Social Security Crisis? What crisis?

Matthew Yglesais points out the strange fact that when Bush's privatization of of Social Security had been shown unacceptable, the administration dropped the whole subject.

Does that mean there is not actually a crisis, or that the crisis was manufactured simply to destroy Social Security?

Oooh! I know! I know! Call me!!

First the bad news

Inflation for the federal year from Oct 1, 2004 to Sept 30 2005 was 4.1%, mostly in gas amd medical espenses. The good news is that Social Security will go up 4.1% in January 2006.

The other bad news is that the cost of part B of Medicare will also increase in January 2006.

Still, it beats any private pension.

Here is a set of notes from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

Another good reason for National Health Care Financing

General Moters is losing market share world wide partly because the health care costs of employees is killing them. Worldwide they have to compete with other companies who hire employees covered by national health care. Ford has the same problem. Kevin Drum briefly discusses the problem.