FT中文网精选：为何美国两党如此在意医保支出？

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, which has reached a record 37 days, primarily focusing on the contentious budget discussions between the Republican and Democratic parties regarding healthcare spending, particularly Medicare and Medicaid [6]. Group 1: Government Shutdown and Budget Discussions - The U.S. government shutdown has entered its 37th day, setting a new record for the longest shutdown in history [6]. - The core issue in the budget discussions is healthcare spending, which includes Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security [6]. - Medicare spending is approximately $2.4 trillion, with $1.7 trillion allocated to Medicare and $700 billion to Medicaid, while Social Security spending amounts to $1.5 trillion [6]. Group 2: Financial Implications - The combined spending on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security accounts for over half of the federal budget expenditures [6]. - On average, this spending translates to over $7,000 per person for the U.S. population of 340 million [6].