ABSTRACT
"Save Social Security First!" This was the challenge posed to the Congress by President Clinton during his State of the Union Address in 1998. In 1983 Congress supported a major overhaul of Social Security because it was becoming clear that payments to recipients were outstripping contributions. Medicare, the health program for seniors receiving Social Security, has two parts—first, which covers hospitalization, some nursing home care, and home health services, and second, an optional component that covers payment for physician services and many outpatient and diagnostic services. The Democratic argument is that with the economy so healthy and the need so great, the country should build on the foundation of Medicare and Medicaid and add universal coverage to its social welfare agenda. There is in fact an emerging consensus among Americans that we must be faithful stewards and leave to future generations a cleaner, healthier, and safer earth.
