NYT OPINION: Understanding the Red State Death Trip
By Paul Krugman
Section: Opinion
Source: New York Times
Published Date: April 3, 2023 at 03:00AM
But one important reason for this financial improvement was grisly: Covid killed a substantial number of Medicare beneficiaries. And the victims were disproportionately seniors already suffering from severe — and expensive — health problems. “As a result, the surviving population had spending that was lower than average.”
Now, Covid killed a lot of people around the world, so wasn’t this just an act of God? Not exactly. You see, America experienced a bigger decline in life expectancy when Covid struck than any other wealthy country. Furthermore, while life expectancy recovered in many countries in 2021, here it continued to fall.
By Paul Krugman
Section: Opinion
Source: New York Times
Published Date: April 3, 2023 at 03:00AM
Politics probably explain America’s poor life expectancy.
Last Friday the Medicare trustees released their latest report on the system’s finances, and it contained some unexpected good news: Expenditures are running below projections, and the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund won’t be exhausted as soon as previously predicted.But one important reason for this financial improvement was grisly: Covid killed a substantial number of Medicare beneficiaries. And the victims were disproportionately seniors already suffering from severe — and expensive — health problems. “As a result, the surviving population had spending that was lower than average.”
Now, Covid killed a lot of people around the world, so wasn’t this just an act of God? Not exactly. You see, America experienced a bigger decline in life expectancy when Covid struck than any other wealthy country. Furthermore, while life expectancy recovered in many countries in 2021, here it continued to fall.
Read more at: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/03/opinion/red-state-life-expectancy-death.html
Understanding the Red State Death Trip - Paul Krugman - Opinions
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