Why are Dems following his lead?
(Mike Segar/Reuters)
Smart policy, and excellent news:
New data from the Department of Health and Human Services finds that thanks to the Affordable Care Act, more than 18.9 million seniors in Medicare have taken advantage of free preventive services and nearly 1.3 million "have received a 50 percent discount on their brand name prescription drugs when they hit the donut hole, saving a total of $660 million so far this year." Individuals saved an average of $517 this year.
Insanely stupid policy:
Raising Medicare’s eligibility would save the federal government money by shifting costs to individuals, employers, and states. These increased costs would be twice as large as the net federal savings[...]
Specifically:
- 65- and 66-year-olds losing Medicare coverage would face higher out-of-pocket health care costs, on average. Two-thirds of this group—3.3 million people—would face an average of $2,200 more each year in premiums and cost-sharing charges.
Oh, and by the way, raising the Medicare eligibility age "would also increase the number of uninsured 65- and 66-year-olds, leading to worse health outcomes and making it harder for older Americans to find work."
Why would Democrats even give a passing thought to implementing a policy that would so undermine what's turning out to be a success in the Affordable Care Act?