Reply #9: Not sure that it would have, because the premiums were looking

[TwilightGardener]

about as high as buying an individual plan AND there was no family coverage. A couple over 55 would have to pay MORE separately for Medicare than for an individual plan that covered them both, IIRC. And the plan would only have affected those with no access to employer coverage. Really, it would not have had a big effect on competition (and thus cost controls). I just think it's weird that Dean suddenly believes that there's now NOTHING worthwhile in this bill, when last week it was "real reform", just on the absence of the buy-in alone.