Saum Sutaria, M.D.

And the other thing you would say is that, look, I think you would agree over the last 100 years- In the broad context and scheme of things, life expectancy in the developed world has improved remarkably, 2x. And yes, there are now differences at the top of the spectrum between the US and others, which we'll get into.

And the other thing you would say is that, look, I think you would agree over the last 100 years- In the broad context and scheme of things, life expectancy in the developed world has improved remarkably, 2x. And yes, there are now differences at the top of the spectrum between the US and others, which we'll get into.

But this is in the context of a very, very rapid improvement in overall life expectancy. Health status may be a different thing. And I think that's also something to talk about.

But this is in the context of a very, very rapid improvement in overall life expectancy. Health status may be a different thing. And I think that's also something to talk about.

So Medicaid is a safety net program. It is a program designed for individuals below different definitions state by state of certain measures of federal poverty level. And the idea behind the coverage is that for those people, not only are their needs unique, but their ability to access health care services can be challenged.

So Medicaid is a safety net program. It is a program designed for individuals below different definitions state by state of certain measures of federal poverty level. And the idea behind the coverage is that for those people, not only are their needs unique, but their ability to access health care services can be challenged.

And the benefit of having programs like Medicaid is it increases, I won't say it makes it entirely equitable, it increases their ability to access the healthcare system in a reasonable manner with a coverage system that avoids taking those least fortunate down a path of severe medical debt that would be overwhelming to their personal financial situation. That's how I think of Medicaid.

And the benefit of having programs like Medicaid is it increases, I won't say it makes it entirely equitable, it increases their ability to access the healthcare system in a reasonable manner with a coverage system that avoids taking those least fortunate down a path of severe medical debt that would be overwhelming to their personal financial situation. That's how I think of Medicaid.

The cutoffs range somewhere between 100% and 200% plus of federal poverty level. And we'll get into maybe with the Affordable Care Act, the exchanges and whatnot. Medicaid covers a lot of people. If you think about this, it now today covers 90 million people in the U.S. more than Medicare.

The cutoffs range somewhere between 100% and 200% plus of federal poverty level. And we'll get into maybe with the Affordable Care Act, the exchanges and whatnot. Medicaid covers a lot of people. If you think about this, it now today covers 90 million people in the U.S. more than Medicare.

Of those covered, think Rust Belt states or Medicaid today. So this is a very large program. Medicare covers probably, I would guess, 65 million or so today and growing. As the population ages, we forecast that that 65 million will become close to 90 million at the peak of the baby boomer aging, which is around 2032 in terms of timeframe. But Medicaid today covers about 90 million people.

Of those covered, think Rust Belt states or Medicaid today. So this is a very large program. Medicare covers probably, I would guess, 65 million or so today and growing. As the population ages, we forecast that that 65 million will become close to 90 million at the peak of the baby boomer aging, which is around 2032 in terms of timeframe. But Medicaid today covers about 90 million people.

That's a big number.

That's a big number.

I don't know. We can look that up in terms. I can tell you that the income level that defines federal poverty is pretty low. You or I would not consider that to be a reasonable living wage or income for a family in this environment with the cost of goods being what they are today.

I don't know. We can look that up in terms. I can tell you that the income level that defines federal poverty is pretty low. You or I would not consider that to be a reasonable living wage or income for a family in this environment with the cost of goods being what they are today.

And who will be underinsured. And that's where things like the exchanges from the Affordable Care Act have stepped in to provide at least options for additional coverage so that people's healthcare costs can be offset. Okay, that's helpful. Bringing back to Medicare and Medicaid. So if you really look at, you have these programs that came into play. So what drove the rapid expansion?

And who will be underinsured. And that's where things like the exchanges from the Affordable Care Act have stepped in to provide at least options for additional coverage so that people's healthcare costs can be offset. Okay, that's helpful. Bringing back to Medicare and Medicaid. So if you really look at, you have these programs that came into play. So what drove the rapid expansion?

Another view of the world would have been that you had this coverage, the healthcare system stood still, and maybe the costs increased, but they didn't increase beyond 6%, 7%, 8% of GDP.

Another view of the world would have been that you had this coverage, the healthcare system stood still, and maybe the costs increased, but they didn't increase beyond 6%, 7%, 8% of GDP.