So, as we begin to welcome the summer season, we now know, at least in broad strokes, what the potential may be for what we call “the economics of aging”. The House of Representatives bill, which now must traverse the Senate, lays out some of the battleground that will impact many families who will face issues associated with illness and caregiving. As America ages, and the Jewish community is aging faster, we are reminded that by about 2035, there will be more people over 65 than under 18, and that by 2050 it is predicted that close to one quarter of USA population will be over 65. Caregiving challenges, and the costs associated with them, are only going to increase. This is a family systems issue, no doubt. Speaking of costs, the bill as passed by the House, will, as the Congressional Budget Office is calculating, will add huge amounts to the national debt (already at over $36 trillion) and at the same time, reduce taxes. We need to be concerned about where the cuts will come from to make up for reduced tax revenue while increasing other expenses. We are being told that changes to Medicaid will help offset some of the expenses. As one report stated as it noted the potential for trillions of dollars to be added to the national debt: “It could force nearly $500 billion in cuts to Medicare”. As the Washington Post reported: “the higher deficits would force budget officials to mandate across the board spending cuts over that window that would hit the federal health insurance program for seniors and people with disabilities”. It seems that most people ignore the debt issue, but, in reality, what we may be doing is “kicking the can” down the road to impact our children and grandchildren.
None of us really know the final result of this debate. We have written here often that these discussion on possible cuts to Medicaid and maybe Medicare, is THE social justice issue for our generation. The costs to be sick in this country and to care for someone are only projected to rise. Not everyone has full coverage. Not everyone can afford full time care help. It is important that all of us communicate with our legislators that these discussions will effect real people and families. The moral and ethical position of Judaism is that the society has an obligation to provide basic care for all of its citizens. The theological thrust of the Prophets remind us to care for the less fortunate in our society.
Shalom
Rabbi Richard F Address
Rabbi Richard F. Address, D.Min, is the Founder and Director of www.jewishsacredaging.com. Rabbi Address served for over three decades on staff of the Union for Reform Judaism; first as a Regional Director and then, beginning in 1997, as Founder and Director of the URJ’s Department of Jewish Family Concerns and served as a specialist and consultant for the North American Reform Movement in the areas of family related programming. Rabbi Address was ordained from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 1972 and began his rabbinic career in Los Angeles congregations. He also served as a part time rabbi for Beth Hillel in Carmel, NJ while regional director and, after his URJ tenure, served as senior rabbi of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, NJ from 2011-2014.
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