Description: This is a discussion of the paper by Samuel Eckler titled, 'State Hospital Insurance in Canada'. The comments refer to the cost of providing the public healthcare and the level of cost sharing.

Description: This section features various book reviews: 'How to Cope with the Developing Financial Crisis' by Bladen, 'Policymaking for Social Security' by Derthick, '1979 Annual Report of the Board of Trustees of the Federal OASDI Trust Funds' by US Congress, 'Integration of Plans with Social Security and Funding' by Grubbs, 'Pension and Profit Sharing Plans - a Basic Guide' by Mamorsky, 'Joint Trust Pension Plans' by McGinn, 'Financing the Civil Service Retirement Systems...' by McGill, 'Pension Task Force Report on Public Employee Retirement Systems' by Committee on Education and Labor. Brief descriptions of additional readings are also included.

Description: The author discusses a perceived loophole in the Social Security system whereby an employer could reduce employees’ wages by all or a portion of their Social Security payroll tax and then pay this tax for the employees. This procedure, which had been little used through the years except by householders employing domestic workers, was dubbed “FICA-II,” and the article notes that 1980 legislation prohibited the practice other than for domestic workers and a few other limited exemptions.

Description: Presented at May 2000 Spring Meeting. In this discussion, panelists examine: 1. Recently developed Medicare reimbursement methodologies, 2. Updates on existing methodologies, and 3. Historical and projected cost trends.

Description: This paper discusses the cause of the long-term financial problem of the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance OASDI program, outlines an alternative actuarial financing approach for OASDI as a solution to this problem, and details the advantages of this approach over the current financing method. Followed by several discussion papers submitted

Description: This article introduces the special rules that apply to employees of state and local governments that choose to be covered by the U.S. Social Security program.

Description: This session discussion is about Madison's and Reagan's influence on the constitution and government of the United States and how that impacts the future of the Medicare program. The traditional Medicare program complimented by Prudent Purchasing Reforms is compared to the Private Health Plan Option. From Record of the Society of Actuaries 1987 Vol. 13, No. 1.

Description: Panelists discuss key aspects of recent and pending laws and the cost and design implications on group health plans. From the Record of the Society of Actuaries, Vol. 24, No. 2.

Description: Discussion of recent laws and regulatory changes that have provided Medicare Advantage plans greater flexibility in benefit offerings and plan designs.

Description: This paper examines the significant 1956 amendments to the Social Security Act and the estimated actuarial cost, and also discusses the historical financial experience and legislative revisions under Social Security and Public Assistance. A discussion of the paper is included.