[expat2]

That analysis is useless, unless you use constant dollars. $100 was worth a lot more in 1972 than it is in 2012.
You should really do a discounted cash flow analysis using interest rates as they were during the pay-in years. That would show that it is close to 1:1, not 3:1.

[kabar]

BS. Medicare is not a savings program. And benefits have been increasing faster than inflation. Try comparing the costs of a day in the ER in 1972 to one today.

Premiums for Medicare Parts B and D only cover 25% of the costs. The rest must come from the general fund.