write a discussion question from the reading

+ add sources , write a paragraph about what concern you and in the end of the paragraph write the question.

· Correcting based on this , follow these:

· Response is reflective and shows serious contemplation of the topic along with original thought.

· Response prompts further discussion of the topic.

· Response explicitly engages with course concepts and readings, citing correctly where appropriate.

· All claims are well supported and cited.

· Response is respectful of all people and groups.

· Response utilizes proper grammar and spelling.

Example to follow:

In chapter five I found the writing on entitlement programs like Medicare and their funding. While reading the text brings up the fact that current projections for the hospital insurance portion of Medicare will run out of funding by 2030 (Rubin, pg. 234). The Medicare program relations on a majority of its funding from a payroll tax, general revenue, and beneficiary premiums and as a result, it is vulnerable to recession and to the number of people collecting those benefits. The text notes that costs for Medicare have been reduced through a means of cheaper generic drug purchasing and shopping around for more competitive plans. However, one cost it only briefly examines is the aging population cost.

As our population ages more and more of those individuals collect Medicare benefits the funding so in the future Medicare may be in trouble. The aging population of baby boomers is or will soon be on Medicare benefits and they are a large segment of the population (73.47%). As a result of this drain on Medicare funds will increase and over time I would image this would increase also due to the older you get the cost and frequency of medical visits tend to go up. Overall the cost of Medicare is determined by the health of those using it. I thought that the portion in the chapter about programs that may indirectly reduce costs was interesting because it related back to this. All of the federal and state nutrition and health programs and other general 'good living' initiatives are ways of reducing costs like Medicare. While these programs may help in the short-term for those making small changes to their habits / lifestyles it makes larger changes for the youth who embody more healthy choices and living.

Question: Do you guys think that the indirect spending on 'healthy living' programs and such actually bring down future costs of things like Medicare and act as one means of reducing long-term costs of programs like it?