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DonViejo

(60,536 posts)
Sun Apr 25, 2021, 11:00 AM Apr 2021

17 senators ask Biden to push for Medicare expansion

Source: Politico


"We have an historic opportunity to make the most significant expansion of Medicare since it was signed into law."

By DAVID COHEN

04/25/2021 09:53 AM EDT

A group of 17 senators sent a letter Sunday to President Joe Biden urging him to attempt to expand Medicare as part of his American Families Plan.

“We write to ask that, as part of the American Families Plan, you propose reducing the Medicare eligibility age, expanding Medicare benefits to include hearing, dental, and vision care, implementing a cap on out-of-pocket expenses under traditional Medicare, and negotiating lower drug prices,” the senators said.

"We have an historic opportunity to make the most significant expansion of Medicare since it was signed into law. We look forward to working with you to make this a reality and, in the process, substantially improve the lives of millions of older Americans and persons with disabilities," wrote the group, which consisted of Vermont independent Bernie Sanders and 16 Democrats, including Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Ben Cardin of Maryland and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan.

Sanders, in particular, has been pushing for an expansion of the Medicare program, which was enacted in 1965 during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Read more: https://www.politico.com/news/2021/04/25/senate-biden-medicare-expansion-484580

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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17 senators ask Biden to push for Medicare expansion (Original Post) DonViejo Apr 2021 OP
Yes, please! Lonestarblue Apr 2021 #1
I recall someone proposing that several years ago and she was scoffed at. Should expansion.... George II Apr 2021 #2
Indeed! calimary Apr 2021 #3
Back in 1993, wasn't it? murielm99 Apr 2021 #4
Yes, and again just a few years ago, too. George II Apr 2021 #7
Good. nt KPN Apr 2021 #5
Oh WOW...sarcasm here. Doesn't matter a whit when you have republicans in control of SWBTATTReg Apr 2021 #6
Er, are you referring to Medicaid, as opposed to Medicare? n/t area51 Apr 2021 #10
Sorry about the confusion...see below and thanks for catching. I just get so mad at several voter- SWBTATTReg Apr 2021 #13
Every step towards universal health care is a step in the right direction. BobTheSubgenius Apr 2021 #8
Add SS to the mix bucolic_frolic Apr 2021 #9
Hoping they get this done! hamsterjill Apr 2021 #11
Huge! Claire Oh Nette Apr 2021 #12

George II

(67,782 posts)
2. I recall someone proposing that several years ago and she was scoffed at. Should expansion....
Sun Apr 25, 2021, 12:17 PM
Apr 2021

....be done legislatively? I don't think a President can do something like this unilaterally since it would have a huge effect on Federal spending.

SWBTATTReg

(22,097 posts)
6. Oh WOW...sarcasm here. Doesn't matter a whit when you have republicans in control of
Sun Apr 25, 2021, 02:12 PM
Apr 2021

state houses that won't allow for expansion of this program as it is now/today, even though the feds will pay 90% of the cost today.

So you can go ahead and expand the program, go ahead. Won't mean a damn thing to me or others in MO, since despite a statewide referendum to expand the program, republican state legislators still IGNORED the will of the voters who overwhelming approved expanding.

SWBTATTReg

(22,097 posts)
13. Sorry about the confusion...see below and thanks for catching. I just get so mad at several voter-
Mon Apr 26, 2021, 03:50 PM
Apr 2021

initiated items have come up before the voters of MO, who passed these items overwhelming. And republicans in MO ignored.


Missouri Voters Approve Medicaid Expansion Despite Resistance From Republican Leaders

August 5, 2020·11:01 AM ET

hamsterjill

(15,220 posts)
11. Hoping they get this done!
Sun Apr 25, 2021, 10:21 PM
Apr 2021

It sure would help a lot of people in my age bracket, and there’s something like a 70% approval of this by the general public. Even a lot of insurers are backing it to get the older people off their rolls and help with cost when they pitch their plans to employers.

Claire Oh Nette

(2,636 posts)
12. Huge!
Sun Apr 25, 2021, 11:06 PM
Apr 2021

Guarantee this would be popular among my cohort of baby boomers.

Open medicare to 55+ and they might be able to retire. Or leave the job they hate to launch their dream business of a bar and grille (actual friends did this).

Remove the cap on earning subject to Social Security to $400,000, or remove it altogether.

Biden understands priorities.

Even if your congress critter is a republican, let them know what you support. The GOP is 25%. The base of racists is lost. The independents, the Biden Republicans, can be swayed with good policy.

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