Immigrants for years have paid far more into Medicare’s coffers than they have drawn out, effectively subsidizing rising health care payments to the aging U.S. population, according to an analysis from Harvard Medical School released on May 29. From 2002 through 2009, immigrants posted a Medicare surplus of $115 billion, while the American-born population logged a deficit of $28 billion in contributions. The Harvard researchers said their analysis offers a look at the potential impact changes to U.S. immigration policies could have on health care funding. “Policies that reduce immigration would almost certainly weaken Medicare’s financial health, while an increasing flow of immigrants might bolster its sustainability,” they wrote.
Immigrants Subsidize Medicare Costs
Show Comments ()
1
Comments are automatically closed two weeks after an article's initial publication. See our comments policy for more.
Gala West
11 years 1 month ago
The future of health insurance is a huge sticking point for politicians around the country. For many individuals, however, the future of health insurance matters not nearly as much as the current cost of medical coverage. The individual insurance market has a wide range of costs, and many young people are simply choosing to go without health insurance.
The latest from america
Top reports from America's “Dispatches” department include looks at conflict, migration and geopolitics through a Catholic filter.
Pope Francis today named Cardinal Robert McElroy as the archbishop of Washington, tapping one of his most like-minded allies to head the Catholic Church in the U.S. capital at the start of Donald Trump’s second administration.
The secret to longevity? Her Catholic faith, Sister Inah Canabarro says.
In a groundbreaking decision, Pope Francis has appointed the Italian missionary nun, Simona Brambilla, M.C., as prefect of the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life.