Economists and political scholars talked about social programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid as part of a possible agreement on avoiding the “fiscal cliff,” the impending tax increases and budget cuts at the end of 2012 if Congress failed to reach a new budget agreement. Topics included a gradual increase in payroll taxes to offset increased life expectancies, overall tax rates, and the possibility that the fiscal cliff could be used as leverage to force changes to social programs that would otherwise not be considered. They answered questions from audience members at the end of the program.
This program was part of the New America Foundation “On the Cliff” symposium.