Question

Which two government programs make up the greatest share of mandatory spending?

A) Medicaid and Medicare
B) Medicare and Social Security
C) Medicaid and Social Security
D) National Defense and Medicare

Answer 1

Answer: B) Medicare and Social Security

Explanation: Medicare and Social Security are the largest portions of mandatory spending by the government. These remain a stable part of mandatory spending because they affect a large segment of the population that vote regularly. This mandatory spending often creates yearly deficits and adds substantially to the national debt.

Answer 2

B.

Step-by-step explanation:

Social Security and Medicare were the largest individual mandatory expenditures, together accounting for about 78 percent of all mandatory spending. Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid make up nearly 50 percent of all federal spending.