703F Fall 2025 Federal Deficits and Debt: The Problem and Solutions

Thursdays, 9:40—11:05, Sept. 25—Oct. 2 

In this class, we will look at Congressional Budget Office projections of the federal debt and the composition of the federal budget. Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and defense and the discretionary accounts will be discussed. We will assess the impact of the Elon Musk reductions in employment and outlays. Federal health plans will be discussed. Why has competition among providers not worked in these markets? Why do we spend so much more on health care than other advanced countries? What are the key difference among these other countries? What lessons might we learn? We will also discuss various budget savings plans. These will include free hospital health care for all, shifting Medicaid to the states, limitations on cost of living adjustments, and a matching federal surtax.

Jim Cantwell is chair of the OLLI Philosophy and Religious Studies program planning group and has taught numerous courses at OLLI.