Reports on Budget Options

To help inform lawmakers about the budgetary implications of various approaches to altering federal policies, CBO periodically issues a volume of policy options (called Options for Reducing the Deficit) covering a broad range of issues as well as separate reports that include options for changing federal tax and spending policies in particular areas. The options, which are accessible from this page, are derived from many sources and reflect a range of possibilities. For each option, CBO presents an estimate of its effects on the budget but makes no recommendations. Inclusion or exclusion of any particular option does not imply an endorsement or rejection by CBO. This search is updated regularly to include only the most recent version of a particular option.

Mandatory Spending Options (Other than those for health-related programs)

Title Latest Estimate
Change the Reimbursement for Insurers’ Administrative and Operating Costs in the Crop Insurance Program
Reduce Premium Subsidies for Crop Insurance Policies
Reduce the Expected Rate of Return for Insurers in the Crop Insurance Program
Restrict the Ways in Which Producers’ Losses are Calculated in the Crop Insurance Program
Options for Expanding the Transferring of Credit Risk on Mortgages Guaranteed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac
Change the Pension Formula in the Federal Employees Retirement System
Replace the Federal Employees Retirement System Pension With Larger Government Contributions to the Thrift Savings Plan for New Employees
Change the Terms and Conditions for Oil and Gas Leasing on Federal Lands
Convert Multiple Assistance Programs for Lower-Income People Into Smaller Block Grants to States
Eliminate ARC and PLC Payments on Generic Base Acres

Discretionary Spending Options (Other than those for health-related programs)

Title Latest Estimate
Adjust DoD’s and DOE’s Plans for Modernizing Nuclear Forces
Change FHA’s Exposure to Risk From Single-Family Mortgage Guarantees
Build Only One Type of Nuclear Weapon for Bombers
Cancel Plans to Purchase Additional F-35 Joint Strike Fighters and Instead Purchase F-16s and F/A-18s
Cap Increases in Basic Pay for Military Service Members
Convert the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage Program From a Guarantee Program to a Direct Loan Program
Defer Development of the B-21 Bomber
Eliminate Certain Forest Service Programs
Eliminate Federal Funding for National Community Service
Eliminate Funding for Amtrak and the Essential Air Service Program

Revenue Options (Other than those related to health)

Title Latest Estimate
Change Federal Civilian Employees’ Contributions to the Federal Employees Retirement System
Capitalize Research and Experimentation Costs and Amortize Them Over Five Years
Change the Tax Treatment of Capital Gains From Sales of Inherited Assets
Convert the Mortgage Interest Deduction to a 15 Percent Tax Credit
Curtail the Deduction for Charitable Giving
Determine Foreign Tax Credits on a Pooling Basis
Eliminate Certain Tax Preferences for Education Expenses
Eliminate the Tax Exemptions for New Qualified Private Activity Bonds
Expand Social Security Coverage to Include Newly Hired State and Local Government Employees
Expand the Base of the Net Investment Income Tax to Include the Income of Active Participants in S Corporations and Limited Partnerships

Health Options

Title Latest Estimate
Repeal the Individual Health Insurance Mandate
Convert Medicare to a Premium Support System
Adopt a Voucher Plan and Slow the Growth of Federal Contributions for the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program
Change the Cost-Sharing Rules for Medicare and Restrict Medigap Insurance
Consolidate and Reduce Federal Payments for Graduate Medical Education at Teaching Hospitals
End Congressional Direction of Medical Research in the Department of Defense
End Enrollment in VA Medical Care for Veterans in Priority Groups 7 and 8
Impose Caps on Federal Spending for Medicaid
Increase Premiums for Parts B and D of Medicare
Increase the Excise Tax on Cigarettes by 50 Cents per Pack