Expanding and improving this wildly popular program is not only the right thing to do from a policy perspective, it is also what the majority of Americans across party lines support. "Now, in 2021, we can continue to fulfill the promise of Medicare," Sanders said. The package contains $284 billion in new transportation spending for an array of needs, including making long-overdue repairs to roadways and bridges, as well Though the bipartisan infrastructure's price tag was trimmed to satisfy GOP lawmakers, the budget resolution bill would use the Senates special reconciliation process to allow Democrats to sidestep Republican support and pass the spending bill with just 51 votes instead of the usual 60. This bill reimagines programs that provide financial assistance to cover the costs of Medicare and eliminates barriers that prevent eligible seniors and people with disabilities from accessing much-needed care., We are the only industrialized nation that does not have guaranteed access to health care for all its citizens this needs to change now,said Congresswoman Dingell. Whetherthe proposal is included in the final text of the$3.5 trillion spendingpackageora futurevehicle, it is important to understand the potential costs.New modeling from the American Action ForumsCenter for Health and Economy shows the range of impacts of extending Medicare eligibility to those age 60-64., Readan overview ofthe research intodaysDaily Dish.. Your team? Prominent lawmakers are now pushing for him to include the Medicare measure in his next spending bill, a followup to the recently announced infrastructure spending package. again. President Biden and congressional Democrats have already expanded the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid Feel free to republish and share widely. Federal Reserve Says Social Media Partially At Fault For Silicon Valley Banks Failure, Tuckered Out? The development marks a major win for a bipartisan group of 10 moderates who spent months hammering out a deal after the White House ceased negotiations with Republicans in June. That bill is expected to propose lowering the Medicare age to 60 and expanding it to include dental, hearing and vision, as well as a pathway to citizenship for That number includes 15 lawmakers from the most vulnerable swing districts. The deadly COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated the crisis. You may opt-out by. And there should be no confusion about that. Were working on ensuring universal health care, and this includes lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 so that more adults can get the critical access to the quality, affordable health care they need. Final votes could drag into early Tuesday as a single GOP senator, Tennessee's Bill Hagerty, refused to relent on the mandatory debate time. As many as 20 Republicans are expected to join Democrats in the evenly split Senate for what would be a robust final tally. J. Scott Applewhite/AP Another negotiator, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, acknowledged that no compromise is perfect, but doing nothing when there was a bill before them was not an option. What changes are coming for Medicare? By Kathryn Underwood Nov. 16 2021, Published 12:41 p.m. The Senates release of its bipartisan infrastructure plan signals that lawmakers are poised to throw former President Donald Trumps belated bid to lower Find out more. But it's unclear if they will be considered for votes. Expanding the long-tested and successful Medicare program is a common-sense, historic measure we can take to massively expand high quality-affordable health care and deliver for the American people. Proud to introduce this legislation today to advance universal health care for more Americans.. Meanwhile, according to the Senior Citizens League, 79% of older voters said in 2018 that all three types of healthcare should be included in the program. UNITED STATES - AUGUST 9: Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., right, and Sen. Bernie [+] Sanders, I-Vt., are seen in the U.S. Capitol on Monday, August 9, 2021. But lowering Medicare eligibility, as well as the price tag of the broader package, is encountering resistance from. That requires a tie-breaking vote from Vice President Kamala Harris and support from all 50 Senate Democrats, including moderates like Sens. Moderate Sens. A group of more than 150 House Democrats from the progressive and centrist wings of the party are launching a campaign to include an expansion of Medicare in President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, The New York Times reported. Theres This will become more apparent in the coming months and years as communities put the money to work and improve services we all depend on.AARP is committed to work with state and local leaders to ensure that these historic investments are implemented in a way that supports the needs of older adults., 25% off sitewide and 30% off select items. The larger infrastructure plan favored by Sanders and other progressives also includes tax increases for the wealthiest Americans to pay for infrastructure spending and investments that would help working people, a proposal which is also popular with a majority of Americans. One of the biggest investments of its kind in years, the package promises to unleash billions of dollars to upgrade roads, bridges, broadband internet, water pipes and other public works systems undergirding the nation. We need your support to keep the mission and independent journalism of Common Dreams strong. Lowering Medicare eligibility to age 60 would cost $380 billion over 10 yearseven after accounting for Affordable Care Act savings from lower spending on subsidies and assuming that employers continue to offer health insurance to those newly eligible for Medicare. EXCLUSIVE: Biden pick to head National Highway Traffic Safety Administration faces GOP roadblock. However, if you are under 65 and receive Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) for 24 months or have a certain diagnosis, you will be eligible for Medicare. AARP Membership $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Biden, who was spending the weekend in Delaware, said the bipartisan package offers an investment on par with the building of the transcontinental railroad or interstate highway system. The text of the legislation isavailable here. Editors note: This article was updated Nov. 15 to reflect that the bill was signed into law. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) have balked at the $3.5 trillion price tag and signaled plans to try to sand it down, but House progressives have warned anything less could spur them to oppose the infrastructure bill. Greatersupport for caregivers, better access to home- and community-based services, improvements to Medicare, paid family leave and affordable housing options are all areas that AARP will continue to push for as lawmakers consider future legislation. A vast amount of work remains to build an infrastructure that meets all the needs of an aging society. Schumer asked Senators to submit their amended reconciliation legislation by September 15. A group of Democratic senators re-introduced legislation, dubbed the "Medicare at 50 Act," that would expand Medicare access to Americans who are between 50 and 64 years old. Lowering the Medicare age to 60 will help millions of Americans., Lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 will provide immediate and substantive relief to millions of Americans who are underinsured or uninsured,said Congressman Neguse. If employers were to respond by dropping health coverage for employeesage60-64, the total cost of the policy would climb to as high as $1.8 trillion. Lowering the Medicare eligibility age will not only be life-changing for at least 23 million people, it will also be life-saving for so many across America who will finally be able to get the care they need and deserve, Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a statement. The bill (pdf)which is led by Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Conor Lamb (Pa.), Joe Neguse (Colo.), Susan Wild (Pa.), Haley Stevens (Mich.), and Debbie Dingell (Mich.)would bring 23 million more Americans into the government-run program. Hagerty said later Sunday in a speech on the Senate floor that he was trying to prevent a "socialist debt bomb" of new government spending. Heres Why, Senate Democrats Unveil $3.5 Trillion BudgetProposing Free Community College, Pathway To Citizenship And More, New Bridges, Roads, Internet And More: Here's What Made It Into The $1 Trillion Infrastructure Bill Backed By The Senate, Senate Democrats Unveil $3.5 Trillion Spending Deal. The move is supported by President Joe Bidens American Families Plan. Please enable Javascript in your browser and try I cover Congress and the Biden Administration. Senators have spent the past week processing nearly two dozen amendments to the 2,700-page package, but so far none has substantially changed its framework. In particular, the new law will give more Americans access to high-speed internet and enhance transportation options in communities around the country. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP The Magazine. Some US states could see northern lights again Sunday: Heres where, 2-year-old daughter of NFL linebacker drowns after falling into pool, police say, Virginia doctor accused of massive illegal oxycodone scheme, Health officials warn irritating symptom may be returning with latest COVID strain, Congress introduces bill to permanently authorize law allowing sanctions on Iran, GOP furious at VA claiming debt bill cuts veteran benefits: Shamelessly lying, Texas Republican: Number of migrants trying to cross into US getting worse, Senate rankings: Here are the 5 seats most likely to flip, The Hills Morning Report States to watch in the battle for Senate, McConnell insists hes sitting out debt talks to disbelief, Lightfoot sends letter to Abbott urging him not to send any more migrants. The proposal to lower Medicare eligibility age would go from 65 to 60 years old. FY23 Community-Based Project Request Form, COVID-19 Relief Resources for Constituents. 1, the "Lower Energy Costs Act." Schumer's support for the more expansive vision for infrastructure--a plan that would be ushered through the reconciliation process in the Senate by Sanders, chair of the Budget Committee--comes days after more than 100 healthcare, faith, and labor groups called on the majority leader and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to include Medicare expansion in the American Families Plan, the Biden administration's infrastructure package. Both scenarios would result in approximately 3.9 million additional insured individuals, at a cost of $9,756 to $57,912 per newly covered person. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Conor Lamb (PA-17), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Susan Wild (PA-07), Haley Stevens (MI-11), and Debbie Dingell (MI-12) would expand Medicare to at least 23 million people. "I do not think it is too radical an idea to say that keeping teeth in your mouth should not be a luxury." The Biden Administration and congressional Democrats have named as a priority lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60. The Improving Medicare Coverage Act is co-sponsored by more than 125 lawmakers including U.S. It concluded that the legislation would increase deficits by about $256 billion over the next decade. A global anti-gender movement is coming for our democracy. A different privacy policy and terms of service will apply. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Conor Lamb, Joe Neguse, Susan Wild, Haley Stevens, Debbie Dingell, Alma Adams, Pete Aguilar, Cindy Axne, Nanette Diaz Barragn, Karen Bass, Earl Blumenauer, Suzanne Bonamici, Jamaal Bowman, Ed.D., Anthony G. Brown, Julia Brownley, Cori Bush, Salud Carbajal, Tony Crdenas, Andr Carson, Troy A. Carter, Joaquin Castro, Judy Chu, David N. Cicilline, Katherine Clark, Yvette D. Clarke, Steve Cohen, Gerald E. Connolly, J. Luis Correa, Joe Courtney, Angie Craig, Danny K. Davis, Madeleine Dean, Peter DeFazio, Diana DeGette, Rosa L. DeLauro, Mark DeSaulnier, Mike Doyle, Veronica Escobar, Adriano Espaillat, Dwight Evans, Ruben Gallego, Jess G. Chuy Garca, Sylvia Garcia, Al Green, Ral M. Grijalva, Jahana Hayes, Brian Higgins, Steven Horsford, Jared Huffman, Shelia Jackson Lee, Sara Jacobs, Henry C. Hank Johnson, Jr., Mondaire Jones, Kaialii Kahele, Marcy Kaptur, Ro Khanna, Andy Kim, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ann McLane Kuster, Rick Larsen, John B. Larson, Brenda L. Lawrence, Barbara Lee, Teresa Leger Fernndez, Andy Levin, Ted W. Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Alan Lowenthal, Carolyn B. Maloney, Kathy Manning, Doris Matsui, Betty McCollum, A. Donald McEachin, James P. McGovern, Jerry McNerney, Gregory W. Meeks, Grace Meng, Kweisi Mfume, Joseph Morelle, Seth Moulton, Jerrold Nadler, Grace F. Napolitano, Marie Newman, Donald Norcross, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Ilhan Omar, Donald M. Payne Jr., Ed Perlmutter, Dean Phillips, Chellie Pingree, Mark Pocan, Katie Porter, Ayanna Pressley, Mike Quigley, Jamie Raskin, Bobby L. Rush, Tim Ryan, Linda T. Snchez, John Sarbanes, Mary Gay Scanlon, Jan Schakowsky, Adam Schiff, Brad Sherman, Adam Smith, Darren Soto, Marilyn Strickland, Thomas R. Suozzi, Mark Takano, Mike Thompson, Bennie G. Thompson, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, Norma Torres, Ritchie Torres, Lori Trahan, Juan Vargas, Nydia M. Velzquez, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Nikema Williams, Frederica S. Wilson, John Yarmuth, Eddie Bernice Johnson, Ann Kirkpatrick, Jason Crow, Hakeem Jeffries, and Emanuel Cleaver, II.