Senator Dick Durbin, one of the closest allies to the White House, just said that the
White House was no longer considering an increase in the eligibility age for Medicare. It seems that trial balloon that was floated out has been shot down thanks to pushback from progressive organizations and Democratic officials in the House and the Senate.
Durbin said he's been told that increasing the eligibility age from 65 is "no longer one of the items being considered by the White House."
Obama and House Speaker John Boehner remain far apart on a potential agreement to avoid a so-called fiscal cliff of expiring tax cuts and across-the-board spending cuts looming at the end of the year.
This is good news so far, but what remains unaddressed on the table is the issue of the Chained CPI formula for Social Security, which is a major benefit cut for seniors, and means-testing Medicare. Progressive organizations and activists should continue pushing back against the Chained CPI formula and means-testing Medicare.