Officials: Medicare buy-in on table

[babsbunny]

http://www.politico.com/livepulse/1209/Officials_Medicare_buyin_on_table.html

December 07, 2009
Categories:

* Senate

The group of 10 Democrats working to break an impasse on the government insurance option are considering changes to other parts of the bill, including creating a Medicare buy-in, according to multiple officials familiar with the talks.

The Medicare buy-in could allay the concerns of progressives, who are being pressured to abandon the public option. It would allow people younger than 65 to purchase coverage in the popular government program for the elderly -- and it would be a significant win for Democrats, who have been seeking this change for years.

[JuniperLea]

1. It's all in what they call it...

Call it a public option and panties instantly wad up... call it a Medicare Buy-in, and we're all happy.

Call it the Obama Plan and nobody wants it... you know the rest.

[dmallind]

2. So the Ronald Reagan Memorial Medicare for All Act of 2010 then...? NT

[valerief]

10. LOL!!!! Rich!

:spray:

[mdmc]

12. ha!

:)

[boobooday]

3. Since most of us already pay into medicare every month

This seems like a good way to do it. It would be really helpful for people with pre-existing conditions.

[Cleita]

4. I have argued this before that for everyone who has FICA deducted from

their checks, they should have a right to buy into this program.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. GREAT NEWS!

K&R

[Schema Thing]

6. they need to do something to buy themselves some votes next year

And hey, I'm all for it. But I wish they were smart enough, or just good enough, to be unabashedly FOR-the-people.

[Wapsie B]

7. And if so, make sure it's funded!

I agree that anyone who gets FICA taken out of their paychecks should be able to buy into the system.

[valerief]

11. Unlike our unfunded wars! nt

[pinto]

8. K & R.

One way or another...

I see elsewhere mention that the buy-in proposal is geared to folks 55 - 65. A small step, but a good one. I really like the idea of access to Medicare Part E (for everyone). And I realize it would likely be gradual, if referred out of committee, passed and signed. Yet this approach is a good, easily understood tack to expanding access to health care.

Medicare works.

(aside) The recent rants from the Republicans about "Democratic proposals to cut Medicare for the elderly" are baloney. Those moves were to decrease *overpayments* under the Medicare Advantage programs, which went directly to private insurers / and suppliers of durable medical equipment - not direct care.

[TorchTheWitch]

9. buy in for how much?

Is this expanding Medicare to cover those under 65 or something else?

[slipslidingaway]

14. Good question and the next question is for how long...

we all know that Medicare faces some large costs ahead with the boomers, one thing that could happen is that this buy in premium remains in place...or not. Just thinking out loud.

:)

[regnaD kciN]

13. Open it up to EVERYBODY (not just 60- or 55-year-olds), and you've got a deal!

If it just means lowering the age a bit, it won't help a lot of people.

[slipslidingaway]

15. That would be the best !!! n/t

[jtrockville]

16. I'd be happy with staged eligibility, so Medicare isn't overwhelmed.

For example, if the program begins on January 1 2011, your age as of that date would determine the year you are eligible.

In 2011, those of age 0-4 and 60+ by 1/1/11 would be eligible.
In 2012, those of age 0-9 and 55+ by 1/1/11 would be eligible.
In 2013, those of age 0-14 and 50+ by 1/1/11 would be eligible.
In 2014, those of age 0-19 and 45+ by 1/1/11 would be eligible.
In 2015, those of age 0-24 and 40+ by 1/1/11 would be eligible.
In 2016, those of age 0-29 and 35+ by 1/1/11 would be eligible.
By 2017: EVERYBODY IN, NOBODY OUT.

Or maybe by 2016 the system could handle the ultimate goal and that last range could be eliminated.

I'm reminded of all the related costs that would go down if we have universal health care, detailed by David Lindorff:
http://www.thiscantbehappening.net/?q=node/364