title: An introduction to the Medicare financing problem.
abstract: The Medicare program faces serious financing problems for both hospital and physician services. Spending on medical care is growing more rapidly than national income. The sources and magnitude of the problems are outlined, and a range of approaches explored. Resolution will come from coordination and interaction among several of these approaches to reducing outlays and increasing revenues.
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D003669:Deductibles and Coinsurance; D004608:Eligibility Determination; D005380:Financing, Government / Q000639:trends*; D005102:Health Expenditures / Q000639:trends; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D007342:Insurance Benefits / Q000191:economics; D007357:Insurance, Physician Services / Q000191:economics; D006278:Medicare / Q000191:economics*; D014481:United States