i think we have a responsibility. it is very difficult. we are not to make everybody happy. but i believe that we must work toward some bipartisan product when it comes to health care. . this week, washington journal is taking a look at the inner workings of medicare. on wednesday, for manicured minister tom scully discussed the largest part of the program. this is one hour. a? guest: it is the biggest part of medicare. medicare is of $480 billion per year program. it covers 45 million seniors and disabled americans, people over 65, and those under 65 who are disabled. part a concerns hospitals, and patient services, and the like. you get into complications of a lot of co-payments and deductibles, but the biggest part is in nursing homes, home health agencies, hospitals, and a variety of other things. it is paid for largely by hospital insurance tax that you and i see from our project if you are working. it is a 1.45% tax on the individual, along with your social security
presidential race with co- authors of a book on the subject. washington journal starts now. . host: we want to focus this morning on help any state should fill a senate seat in the event of death or resignation. here is a photograph of the flags and half staff in honor of senator kennedy. obama says that the extraordinary good that he did lives on. you may remember a letter sent to the senator asking for a change in the law in massachusetts. from the store this morning, governor patrick saying he is breaking his silence on the future. he is embracing the request that the governor be given the power to appoint someone to the seat until voters can appoint a permanent successor in a special election. we re joined by phone by tom. this question came up following the election of barack obama with a number of vacancies in delaware, illinois, and new work. there seems to be no clear mandate into what stage should be doing. is there? guest: the states have some discretion in th