Expanding Medicare Is a Step Backward

Goodman, John C., Cordell, Dorman E., Consumers' Research Magazine

With Medicare teetering on the edge of

bankruptcy, President Clinton is proposing

to add more beneficiaries and more

costs. Specifically, all Americans ages 62 to 64

(the Medicare eligibility age is 65) would be able

to join Medicare in exchange for a monthly premium

between $300 and $400. Those ages 55 to

61 who have involuntarily lost their jobs would

have the same option. And employers would face

a new mandate: retirees over age 55 who were

promised and then denied postretirement health

insurance would have the right to buy into their

previous employer's health plan. Are these proposals

a good idea?

Ignoring the Need. About 86% of Americans

between the ages of 55 and 65 currently have

health insurance. Among those who do not, the

average cost of insurance averages about half of

the Medicare buy-in price. Even the White House

estimates that only 10% of those eligible would

take up the offer. Moreover, the …

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Publication information: Article title: Expanding Medicare Is a Step Backward. Contributors: Goodman, John C. - Author, Cordell, Dorman E. - Author. Magazine title: Consumers' Research Magazine. Volume: 81. Issue: 2 Publication date: February 1998. Page number: 14+. © 1999 Consumers' Research, Inc. COPYRIGHT 1998 Gale Group.

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