Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced the Medicare at 55 Act with the immediate support of Democratic Sens. Tammy Baldwin (Wis.), Sheldon Whitehouse (R.I.), Sherrod Brown (Ohio), Jeff Merkley (Ore.), Patrick Leahy (Vt.), Jack Reed (R.I.) and Al Franken (Minn.).
The bill, which would allow Americans aged 55 to 64 to purchase Medicare coverage, reflects the growing influence of progressive activists who are pushing for a single-payer health care system they dub “Medicare for all.”
Democrats in the Senate have introduced a bill to allow people ages 55 to 64 to be eligible for Medicare. This is a good beginning and it helps everyone. It brings healthier people into the Medicare pool reducing costs for Medicare and the private insurance programs (Medicare Advantage, etc) many people use with Medicare. It should also help the ACA by reducing overall insurance costs for those younger than 55 by making that group healthier.
Some people can stop working if they are only keeping their jobs for the health insurance until they are 65 and eligible for Medicare. People in that age group often can’t afford insurance if they’re not eligible for ACA subsidies.