Sam Stein, HuffPo: Obama Offered To Raise Medicare Eligibility Age As Part Of Grand Debt Deal

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Obama Offered To Raise Medicare Eligibility Age As Part Of Grand Debt Deal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/obama-medicare-eligibility-age_n_894833.html



WASHINGTON -- In his press conference on Monday morning, President Barack Obama repeatedly insisted that he was willing to tackle some sacred cows as part of a larger package to raise the debt ceiling. Just how sacred, however, may surprise political observers.

According to five separate sources with knowledge of negotiations -- including both Republicans and Democrats -- the president offered an increase in the eligibility age for Medicare, from 65 to 67, in exchange for Republican movement on increasing tax revenues.

The proposal, as discussed, would not go into effect immediately, but rather would be implemented down the road (likely in 2013). The age at which people would be eligible for Medicare benefits would be raised incrementally, not in one fell swoop.

Sources offered varied accounts regarding the seriousness with which the president had discussed raising the Medicare eligibility age. As the White House is fond of saying, nothing is agreed to until everything is agreed to. And with Republicans having turned down a "grand" deal on the debt ceiling -- which would have included $3 trillion in spending cuts, including entitlement reforms, in exchange for up to $1 trillion in revenues -- it is unclear whether the proposal remains alive.

[yurbud]

1. so when unemployment is high, force more people to stay in the workforce longer instead of retiring

to make room for younger workers?

Obama should be talking about LOWERING the retirement age, just to chap Boner's orange ass.

[robinlynne]

2. Great, so when I start to get my 500 per month in social security, I'll have to

pay for health care and rent and food? Boy, I look forward to that.

[fasttense]

3. And it indirectly reduces Social Security payments.

Since most average workers get thrown out of the work force at age 50 or so, that gives a person 2 extra years without adequate health care to die. The more people die in those 2 years, the fewer Social Security payments. I guess Obama has now joined the RepubliCON plan of medical care. Die and die quickly.