To the Point
A Medical Miracle with Conflicting Consequences
Eighty million baby boomers are reaching their late 50's. Will an aging population burden the young or use the wisdom that comes from experience to create a better society? On this archived edition of To the Point, originally broadcast in April of this year, we look at the pros and cons of an aging America. Also, an update on healthcare reform, and a status report on the labor movement in 2009. Programming note: This program will be not air on KCRW as it will be pre-empted by special Labor Day programming. It will be available as a podcast and on-demand, and will be archived online.
By Warren Olney • • 51m ListenEighty million baby boomers are reaching their late 50's. Will an aging population burden the young or use the wisdom that comes from experience to create a better society? On this archived edition of To the Point, originally broadcast in April of this year, we look at the pros and cons of an aging America. Also, an update on healthcare reform. On Reporter's Notebook, for decades, union membership has been declining as a percentage of America's work force. What's the state of the AFL-CIO? We get a progress report.
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In this episode
3 storiesCongress Returns to Work and Healthcare Reform
Congress will be back in Washington tomorrow after an August recess some members will never forget. What's next for healthcare reform ? Ezra Klein reports for the Washington Post .
Read the story8 minA Medical Miracle with Conflicting Consequences
Baby boomers will live almost twice as long as previous generations, and older Americans are going to outnumber the young. There's already competition for jobs, and young people who find work will pay for the rising costs of Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
Read the story36 minThe Future of Organized Labor
The wage gap is increasing in the Unites States and the United States still celebrates Labor Day, but for years there's been less and less to celebrate as union membership has been on the decline. Whatever happened to the AFL-CIO ? What's the Employee Free Choice Act ? Does it have a chance in Congress?
Read the story8 min
