The Business Roundtable organization is suggesting that raising the Medicare eligibility age is necessary to "save" that vital program. The most objectionable part of their program is that of separating Americans into two groups, those younger than 55 and those 55 and older. Under their plan those in the former group would see their Medicare eligibility age slowly rise to age 70, while the latter would see no changes in their eligibility for Medicare,
This plan is designed to hold off opposition. The older group is expected not to raise objections since they would not be affected. The younger group would be unconcerned because they wouldn't be affected for years, and the changes would occur gradually.
There are much better ways to "fix" Medicare. Obamacare makes certain strides toward cutting costs through electronic medical records. Drug costs in Medicare Part D could be cut through negotiation with drug companies. Medicare costs could be reduced by devoting more resources to uncovering fraud, electronically and with investigators. Medicare costs can be reined in without raising the eligibility age and without pitting one group of Americans against another.
We're all in this together and we should all look out for each other.
Karen Wagner
Rolling Meadows
