
How the nation’s fiscal and economic challenges, and possible solutions, impact current and future generations.
Episodes

Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
44 min

Jan 13, 2026
Jan 13, 2026
44 min
This week on Facing the Future, former Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) discussed the growing U.S. debt burden, the case for a fiscal commission, and why it's bad policy to attack the Fed's independence.

Jan 7, 2026
Jan 7, 2026
44 min
This week on Facing the Future, we discussed Social Security reform with Jason Fichtner, executive director of the LIMRA Retirement Income Institute and former chief economist at the Social Security Administration. With the program's main trust fund projected to be depleted by 2032, prompt action must be taken to avoid sudden benefit cuts.

Dec 24, 2025
Dec 24, 2025
44 min
This week on Facing the Future, Concord Coalition executive director Carolyn Bourdeaux and other top members of Concord's staff look back on key fiscal developments of 2025 and the deepening debt challenges of 2026. Join us for Facing the Future's holiday 'Friends and Family' episode.

Dec 16, 2025
Dec 16, 2025
44 min
This week on Facing the Future we’ll look at Medicare, one of the biggest drivers of America’s long-term fiscal outlook. Amy Bassano, a former deputy director of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) and now Managing Director of Medicare services at Health Management Associates, discusses cost trends and reform options.

Dec 10, 2025
Dec 10, 2025
44 min
This week on Facing the Future, Leon Panetta, one of Washington's most experienced budget experts and a top national security official, gives us his view on what it will take to restore fiscal discipline and why achieving that goal is crucial.

Dec 3, 2025
Dec 3, 2025
44 min

Nov 19, 2025
Nov 19, 2025
43 min

Nov 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
44 min

Nov 5, 2025
Nov 5, 2025
44 min
This week on Facing the Future, we looked at the major impact of health care spending on the federal budget with Anna Bonelli, Director of Health Policy at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget. The discussion included expiring enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Medicare insolvency and Medicare Advantage overpayments.
