Changes

'''Entitlement spending''' can also be referred to as '''non-discretionary spending''' or [[mandatory spending]], and is not controlled through the regular annual [[appropriations]] process. Instead, entitlement spending is based on the eligibility and benefit criteria established in law, which is under the jurisdiction of the various authorizing committees of the [[House]] and [[Senate]].  

'''Entitlement spending''' can also be referred to as '''non-discretionary spending''' or [[mandatory spending]], and is not controlled through the regular annual [[appropriations]] process. Instead, entitlement spending is based on the eligibility and benefit criteria established in law, which is under the jurisdiction of the various authorizing committees of the [[House]] and [[Senate]].  

 

The total amount of spending on entitlements has been determined by the aggregate total of all individual benefits. Most entitlement spending, such as for [[Medicare]], is not capped at a specific spending level, and typically increases each year as the number of eligible beneficiaries and the authorized benefit payments increases. However, some entitlement spending—particularly entitlement payments to states, such as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (commonly referred to as CHIP)—is capped at a specific level provided in the authorizing law.

The total amount of spending on entitlements has been determined by the aggregate total of all individual benefits. Most entitlement spending, such as for [[Medicare]], is not capped at a specific spending level, and typically increases each year as the number of eligible beneficiaries and the authorized benefit payments increases. However, some entitlement spending—particularly entitlement payments to states, such as the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (commonly referred to as CHIP)—is capped at a specific level provided in the authorizing law.