How can medicare be opened up to those under 65

[Juche]

I know we all pay 2.9% of income to medicare, but legally how could medicare be opened up with premiums so that there are 2 groups in it, the elderly (financed by the 2.9% tax) and people who choose the system and pay with premiums?

ie, is it possible to create a plan with various annual deductibles (none, 500, $1000, $2000, etc) tacked onto medicare funded solely by premiums from members?

Could it be done by executive order? Is there a legal way to do this?

If we get health reform w/o a public option, but we open medicare up then that would be acceptable.

[yourout]

1. It would be better than "acceptable"....it would be preferable.

[ejpoeta]

2. to me it doesn't make any sense to make a whole new thing!! we already have

a public option... medicare. and if we are concerned about long term viability, then letting people buy into it would make sense. It wouldn't take four years either!! they could do it right now!! maybe phase it in lowering the age eligible to join over a period of a couple of years. and don't just make it for those who have no access!! we have things for that already, don't we!! even if we CAN get it through an employer, we should still be able to get into the public option. wtf!

[FLDCVADem]

3. The people currently in Medicare DO pay premiums n/t

[roamer65]

4. ...and they usually have to buy a private supplemental policy...

since the out-of-pocket and co-pays for Medicare have grown so large.

[Juche]

5. Yeah, but that is combined with the 2.9% tax

I am talking about paying with premiums alone w/o the 2.9% tax.

[ipaint]

6. You would have a specific amount taken out in taxes from your pay, right now I believe it's 2.9%

Then you would pay a monthly premium of about $96.40 which would cover hospital, doctors visits, outpatient etc. Private ins would be available to supplement what isn't covered coverage like it is today.

Of course with a huge pool of people cost would be cut, no overhead or private ins. profit to deal with nor would we be setting a new national system up from scratch which is expensive.