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Medicare reform unlikely to save government much money

A new study analyzes three model plans and finds that competitive pricing may reduce plan uncertainty but is unlikely to raise enrollment in the M+C sector. Total government spending on Medicare could be reduced by increasing beneficiary premiums, but geographic inequities in benefits are a concern.

SourceHealth Affairs·JournalHealth Affairs·DateOct 10, 2001

Virtual news could make journalists obsolete

The AI-powered Author system can generate readable prose, including dialogue and short stories, by analyzing a story plan and applying rules to create grammatically correct sentences. However, it still lacks the ability to discern fact from fiction, which is a significant hurdle before it can be used for hot news reporting.

Elite colleges transmit cultural advantages

Research by Dr. Daniel B. Lee finds that elite colleges transmit cultural advantages from one generation to the next, including social skills and valuable networks. These advantages can lead to increased chances of joining the highest social stratum after graduation.