FISCAL BLOG

One of the largest drivers of that rising debt is federal spending on major healthcare programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid.

Interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities have a significant influence on federal borrowing costs.

Social Security is an integral part of the nation’s fiscal picture and a vital economic lifeline for millions of recipients.

Despite higher healthcare spending, America’s health outcomes are not any better than those in other developed countries.

In 2021, health spending in the United States totaled $4.3 trillion and averaged nearly $13,000 per person.

Many Americans, young and old, may be confused by the complex set of issues that comprise how the government raises revenues and allocates them.

As the largest program in the federal budget, Social Security is a critical part of our nation’s fiscal picture and vital to millions of elderly recipients.

When the US government reaches its debt ceiling, the Treasury can use a variety of accounting maneuvers, known as “extraordinary measures” to keep the federal government from defaulting on its debts.

When the debt limit is close to being breached, or when a suspension of the ceiling is nearing, lawmakers would have to act to avoid serious economic and budgetary consequences.

For 2023, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated in May that the federal budget deficit will total $1.5 trillion.