Health Policy Program Statement on 'Rethinking Social Insurance'

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.