Mark Skidmore - 2/3
IPAK-EDU Director's Science Webinar '25
IPAK-EDU Director’s Science Webinar
Monday 2/3 @ 7:00pm Eastern
with/ Mark Skidmore
“The Impact of Declining Human Health on Fiscal Health”
If we could return to the level of health about 15 years ago, federal deficits are estimated to be $500 billion less.
From Dr. Skidmore’s website, Lighthouse Economics:
Mark Skidmore provides an examination of United States federal fund transfers to each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia (DC) net of federal taxes from each jurisdiction. Every year, the federal government expends funds, which are distributed across the country. These funds are transferred via direct benefits to individuals, grants to state/local governments, procurements to private entities and state/local governments, and for federal employee wages and salaries in each state and DC. This study summarizes federal government expenditures to each state and DC net of federal tax revenues paid from each state and DC. The difference between federal expenditures and tax payments is referred to as the balance of payments. The article shows that there are four key determinants of balance of payments: military spending and the proportions of the population that live in poverty, are elderly, and are disabled.
According to the analysis, if the US had maintained the 12.5% average disability rate in 2010, the net balance of payments would have been about 35% lower than it was in 2022. Given a projected deficit of $1.5 trillion in 2024, a reduction in the balance of payments of 35% translates to a $530 billion reduction in the federal deficit annually, resulting from a $319 billion decrease in expenditures and a $212 billion increase in tax revenues.
Link to the post and study, which will be subject of the presentation:
Past sessions with Dr. Skidmore:
11/18/2024 “Opaque Federal Finances: $21 Trillion Unaccounted”
6/26/2023 “How Many People Died From the Covid-19 Injectables?”
Once a week, this webinar series brings a focus to science as it applies to public issues of concern. The webinar brings to you expertise from scientists, researchers, data analysts, medical professionals, health advocates, attorneys, and more, all with the opportunity to learn, ask questions, and hear directly from people working at the leading edge.
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