April 5, 2011 9:01AM 

# Medicare and Medicaid Reform 

By [Tad DeHaven](https://www.cato.org/people/tad-dehaven) 

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House Budget Committee chairman Paul Ryan (R‑WI) is proposing reforms to Medicare and Medicaid as part of his budget proposal for fiscal 2012. Readers who are interested in getting a better understanding of these pillars of the federal welfare state should check out two Cato essays on our [Downsizing Government](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/) website.

An essay on [Medicare](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/hhs/medicare-reforms) explains the program’s numerous shortcomings and an essay on [Medicaid](http://www.downsizinggovernment.org/hhs/medicaid-reforms) examines that program’s flaws. Suggested reforms in the essays are similar to reforms in Rep. Ryan’s proposal, including converting Medicaid to a block-grant program.

##### Related Tags 

[Health Care](https://www.cato.org/health-care), [Tax and Budget Policy](https://www.cato.org/tax-budget-policy), [Department of Health and Human Services](https://www.cato.org/department-health-human-services), [Downsizing Government](https://www.cato.org/downsizing-government) 

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