Will Medicare Coverage be Expanded to More Americans?

This is the time that everyone is getting all riled up about health care in general and Medicare, specifically.  First of all, it is open enrollment period for Medicare until the end of December, 2009, which means that by December 31st a lot of choices need to be made by Medicare recipients.

At the same time, one of the biggest battles in decades is continuing while lawmakers try to determine what healthcare should be like for now and into the future.  There are all sorts of proposals being put forth – from public options to what to do about abortion and more.

Some of these issues can tip the balance on the whole health care reform issue.  Not only are Democrats arguing with Republicans, but individuals within their own parties are arguing with each other.  Yet there is a lot of hard work going into healthcare reform – even working over the weekend – to try to get this finished once and for all.   

A lot of the major details are pretty well figured out.  However, the finer details that could cost – or save – a lot of money will take a little or maybe a lot more ironing out.

One of the latest ideas that lawmakers are grappling with is the idea that individuals aged 55 and over should be able to be able to be covered by Medicare either through a buy-in or through other options, including a government run plan.  This is not a small subject when it comes to either side of the aisle.

Though there could be a lot of money to gain – which would offset the huge expenses that Medicare is experiencing now.  Some lawmakers – and people throughout the country – are seeing the huge offset that would come with boomers between 55 and 65 years old paying premiums but not usually using many of the services that Medicare has to offer – especially because they are younger and in better health.

If Congress can pass this type of coverage, it would be possible that the premiums collected from those who are age 55 to 65 could at least somewhat – perhaps in a large way – balance the Medicare budget, thus helping to balance the healthcare budget and the overall budget.

Time will tell what will happen when it comes to the health care bill.  One thing that has been made clear on both sides of the aisle is that Lawmakers are trying their best to keep Medicare services as constant as possible without cutting much and without expanding premiums.  Hopefully, creative thinking that looks to the future will help them take in the money to help cover boomers and help set the budget straighter.

Filed under: General-Medicare