The Senate’s apparent willingness to jettison the Medicare buy-in provision from the health reform bill because of Senator Lieberman’s hesitations is deeply troubling. Politically, it shows a lack of will and a desire to have the appearance of accomplishment whether real or not. At the policy-level, the Senate version of the health bill is boiling down to nothing more than a handout of 45 million new customers to private insurance companies with no real action on curbing costs or improving the quality of the healthcare we receive in America.
The Medicare buy-in, an idea that was widely supported by many centrists, including Senator Lieberman himself just a few months ago, would have been a great economic and social benefit for Americans in their fifties and early sixties. Allowing those between the ages of 55 and 65 to purchase Medicare coverage by creating a separate account that does not have an impact on the current Medicare program that seniors benefit from, could avoid the very real issue of joblock, where people fail to leave their current occupation to pursue other endeavors because of a loss of benefits, and provide real cost-saving competition to private insurance coverage in that market. The social benefit of having those in their fifties and early sixties free to choose alternative careers, start small businesses or help in childcare for grandchildren is immeasurable.
Another group that this will hurt greatly is veterans. A recent study out of Harvard found that 2,266 veterans died last year because they did not have health insurance. This is more than 14 times then number of deaths suffered by US troops in Afghanistan in 2008. Without the Medicare buy-in, thousands of Vietnam era veterans—who fall precisely in this age range—will not be able to afford healthcare coverage.
Rather than be held hostage by one Senator and miss out on our best opportunity to get significant health reform passed, I would urge the Senate to pursue other options and pass a bill with a robust public option but, at the very least, a Medicare buy-in for those between the ages of 55 and 65. The best pathway to this, in my opinion, is through the budget reconciliation process where only 51 votes are needed to avoid filibuster.
President Obama has said that this may be our last chance at healthcare reform for generations. Therefore we need to assure that we are pursuing policies that have meaningful and longstanding impact instead of window dressing reforms that do little to actually improve the health and welfare of Americans. Senator Lieberman seems to be caught in nothing more than an addiction of displaying self-importance rather than selfless service to our nation. Despite many peoples desire to show that some action was taken, it is imperative to get this right instead of just getting it done.
*NOTE: Next week, on December 22 at 10 AM, I will be conducting another segment in our preventive care series right here on DailyKos. This edition will be about health care for the holidays and I will be taking questions.
Manan Trivedi is a candidate for congress in the PA-06, a primary care physician and an Iraq War veteran.