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
Lonestarblue
(9,959 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)....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.
calimary
(81,179 posts)murielm99
(30,730 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)KPN
(15,641 posts)SWBTATTReg
(22,097 posts)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.
area51
(11,902 posts)SWBTATTReg
(22,097 posts)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
BobTheSubgenius
(11,562 posts)And other cliches.
bucolic_frolic
(43,115 posts)time to shore up all places where benefits lag millionaires
hamsterjill
(15,220 posts)It sure would help a lot of people in my age bracket, and theres 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)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.