Top Ten Myths of Medicare

33 Pages Posted: 18 Jul 2012 Last revised: 3 Oct 2012

See all articles by Richard L. Kaplan

Richard L. Kaplan

University of Illinois College of Law

Date Written: July 17, 2012

Abstract

In the context of changing demographics, the increasing cost of health care services, and continuing federal budgetary pressures, Medicare has become one of the most controversial federal programs. To facilitate an informed debate about the future of this important public initiative, this article examines and debunks the following ten myths surrounding Medicare: (1) there is one Medicare program, (2) Medicare is going bankrupt, (3) Medicare is government health care, (4) Medicare covers all medical costs for its beneficiaries, (5) Medicare pays for long-term care expenses, (6) the program is immune to budgetary reduction, (7) it wastes much of its money on futile care, (8) Medicare is less efficient than private health insurance, (9) Medicare is not means-tested, and (10) increased longevity will sink Medicare.

Keywords: Medicare, Long-Term Care, Taxes, Longevity

Suggested Citation

Kaplan, Richard L., Top Ten Myths of Medicare (July 17, 2012). The Elder Law Journal, Vol. 20, pp. 1-32, 2012, Illinois Program in Law, Behavior and Social Science Paper No. LBSS13-02, Illinois Public Law Research Paper No. 11-28, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2111535 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2111535

Richard L. Kaplan (Contact Author)

University of Illinois College of Law ( email )

504 E. Pennsylvania Avenue
Champaign, IL 61820
United States
(217) 333-2499 (Phone)
(217) 244-1478 (Fax)

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
3,839
Abstract Views
15,156
Rank
5,232
PlumX Metrics