New America's Health Policy Program today issued the following statement on the paper, "Rethinking Social Insurance," by Maya MacGuineas and Stuart M. Butler:

The opinions and policies presented in "Rethinking Social Insurance" do not represent the views of the Health Policy Program or its staff. The Health Policy Program works to create a sustainable system of health coverage for all Americans and believes strongly in protecting the solvency and integrity of the Medicare program within a reformed health system.

Rising health care costs threaten the stability of the U.S. economy. Therefore, as part of a comprehensive effort to reform our health care system, it is essential to control health care spending and improve quality over time. In the absence of a sustainable system of coverage for all Americans, however, we must also work to support and improve public programs like Medicare and Medicaid that currently serve our nation’s most vulnerable citizens.