The first baby boomer became eligible for Medicare this past Saturday. If you thought the system was already in financial trouble just wait. Now a baby boomer will qualify for Medicare every 8 seconds! By the year 2030 the Medicare ranks will swell from 47 million today to 80 million.
Another problem is that the baby boomers are healthier as a whole than earlier retirees and thus will be in the system longer and require more money as they age. Trying to keep pace with the sheer numbers and the expensive advances in medical care that further prolongs life will greatly strain the system.
There will be more pressure for the government to reduce Medicare benefits but groups like the AARP and the very vocal baby boomers won’t stand for that and will put up quite a fight. Whomever suggests reducing benefits or making Medicare recipients pay more will be committing political suicide.
No doubt it will be fascinating to watch. bjmdjd
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Sign in nowIt will be interesting to see the affects of a longer living, healthier population demographic on the health care system. The healthier population may not be as reliant on the health care system and may rely on other avenues for health development such as proper nutrition and chiropractic.