The document compares the Medicare spending plans of Obama, Ryan, and Romney over the next 10 years. Obama and Ryan propose saving around $1 trillion primarily by reducing payments to providers, while Obama also caps Medicare spending growth and Ryan relies on private competition. Romney's plan does not include cuts or caps on spending growth and instead focuses on private competition. Currently, healthcare spending is projected to continue rising faster than GDP.

1. Medicare Spending: Next 10 Years
Obama Ryan Romney
Save ~$1tn mainly by Save ~$1tn mainly by
cutting payments to cutting payments to No cuts or savings
providers providers
Source: Obama FY 13 Budget Proposal, Ryan/Romney Budget Plans

2. Ongoing Medicare Spending Limits
Obama Ryan Romney
Cap Medicare Spending Cap Medicare Spending
at GDP + 0.5% at GDP + 0.5% No cap but private
through innovations through private competition
and efficiencies competition
Source: Obama FY 13 Budget Proposal, Ryan/Romney Budget Plans

3. Healthcare Spending Trajectory
% of GDP
Source: CBO, Medicare Trustees 2012 Report