This week’s Plot Points sets aside the abstract billions and trillions and focuses on “Social Security and Medicare days.” In 2026, Social Security and Medicare benefits will cost about $7.5 billion per day. The point is more basic: putting the federal budget on a sustainable path requires a clear understanding of where the money is going. With the largest programs left out of the budget debate, we’re left focusing on the smaller ones that cannot materially change the nation’s fiscal outlook.
Author: March 20, 2026
Published at: 2026-03-20 00:00:00
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