"Senate Democrats, struggling to find compromises in U.S. health-care legislation, are considering dropping plans to create a new government insurance program in favor of alternatives such as expanding the Medicare program…
Lawmakers cautioned that there is a long way to go even if an accord holds. They’re considering possibilities such as modeling a program on the federal employee-insurance system that involves private insurers, further expanding the Medicaid program for the poor and lowering the eligibility age for the Medicare plan for the elderly to 55 from 65, with new premiums…
Like the $1 trillion measure passed by the House on Nov. 7, the plan would require Americans to get health coverage or pay a penalty. It would expand Medicaid, set up new online purchasing exchanges to get insurance and provide subsidies for those who need help buying policies…"
Among the myriad of concerns I have, firstly I notice there’s no mention of the fact that Medicare is already projected to go into the red within the next 5-7 years.
How do these people propose stuff like this with a straight face?
Health-Bill Negotiators May Drop Public Option, Expand Medicare