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EXPANDING MEDICARE
The Pros and Cons of Increasing Medicare Eligibility January 16, 1998 |
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Questions asked
in this forum:
Is the Medicare proposal a federal government power grab? If the proposal is "revenue neutral", why not expand Medicare? Is there the political will to increase premiums if health care costs continue to rise? Who can afford $3600 to $4000 a year for Medicare? How will this proposal impact health care generally? Will this allow business to start reducing its health coverage?
NewsHour Coverage
January 6, 1998
Secretary of Health and Human Services Donna Shalala outlines the President's proposal and Congressman Bill Thomas (R-CA) reacts.
November 20, 1997
Secretary Shalala discusses the consumer bill of rights for health care.
August 7, 1997
The budget bill plans to carve $115 million off federal health care spending.
July 31, 1997
A discussion on Columbia/HCA's defrauding of Medicare.
July 15, 1997
Senator John Breaux (D-LA) and AARP representative Martin Corry debate changes to the Medicare system.
Browse the NewsHour's coverage of Medicare.
Outside Links
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
President Clinton has made efforts to improve health care coverage for all Americans one of the hallmarks of his administration. So far the results have been mixed. While he was soundly defeated in his attempt to pass a sweeping overhaul of the health insurance industry, he has been able to agree with Congress and sign legislation for smaller, more targeted purposes such as expanding health insurance to cover more children. Now, as he begins his sixth year as President, Clinton has announced his intention to modify the Medicare program to cover more Americans in their late fifties and early sixties.
The President's proposed legislation would affect three groups of Americans:
People between the ages of 62 and 65 could buy into the Medicare system early by paying about $300 a month. After age 65, they would have to pay slightly higher monthly premiums than Medicare users who didn't join early.
People aged 55 to 62, who involuntarily lose their jobs and their employer-provided health coverage, could also buy into Medicare. They would pay the full cost up front, about $400 a month.
Retirees over 55 whose employers didn't deliver promises to provide health coverage could buy into their former employers' health plans until they are eligible for Medicare at age 65. The plan has drawn criticism from many sides. Conservatives charge that Clinton is attempting to expand government control over health care in a piecemeal way. They also argue that Medicare, which appeared to be in dire financial straits just six months ago, could not absorb more patients without sacrificing its current stability.
Liberals have also reacted warily to the proposal. Although many have embraced its ideals, they worry that by creating a pool of patients that pay the full Medicare premium ($400 instead of $300) Congress may find it easier to limit the program in the future.
Should Medicare be expanded? Is Clinton only tinkering with a program that ultimately needs a massive overhaul? What should the future of Medicare be? Is national health insurance viable now and in the future?
Your questions will be answered by two health care policy experts. Joseph White, a visiting scholar at The Brookings Institution, is writing a book about the future of Social Security and Medicare. John Bertoud, tor President of the National Taxpayers Union, has spoken out against further government expansion into health care.
Is the Medicare proposal a federal government power grab? If the proposal is "revenue neutral", why not expand Medicare? Is there the political will to increase premiums if health care costs continue to rise? Who can afford $3600 to $4000 a year for Medicare? How will this proposal impact health care generally? Will this allow business to start reducing its health coverage?
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