Dems enter health care fray with 'Medicare X' bill

In their quest to expand health care coverage for the millions who lack insurance, two Democratic senators have unveiled a proposal to let anyone buy into Medicare.

The Hill reports that the “Medicare X” measure, a “more realistic” option than a Medicare-for-all plan that would strip out insurers altogether and completely change the American health care system, was introduced by senators Michael Bennet, D-CO, and Tim Kaine, D-VA.

According to the report, rather than completely reshaping the current health care system, the bill would create a public option for Medicare that would permit individuals of any age to buy plans giving them access to Medicare’s health care provider network as well as the range of benefits mandated by the Affordable Care Act. At present, only those 65 and older can participate in Medicare.

In addition, the bill would expand access to tax credits that help people buy ACA coverage for the purpose of using them toward Medicare X plans.

The measure would not only ensure that individuals would pay no more than 13 percent of their income toward their insurance premiums for a standard health plan but also boost the tax credits for those with lower incomes. A House version was introduced Monday by representatives Antonio Delgado, D-NY, John Larson, D-CT and Brian Higgins, D-NY.

In the report, Bennet is quoted saying, “I just think this is a much more practical way of trying to achieve the objective of universal coverage, and over time, a reduction in our expenditures on health care, than practically any other proposal that’s been made since the ACA was passed.”

Kaine is quoted saying, “We preserve everything about the existing system. And we just put one additional element into it.”

Senators Cory Booker, D-NJ, and Kamala Harris, D-CA, have weighed in in favor of the measure, even though the two are also co-sponsors of the Medicare for All bill introduced by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT.

Bennet says in the report that his plan predates Medicare for All proposals and that he thinks Republicans can eventually get behind it as well as Democrats. He’s quoted saying, “I see this as an attempt, a good-faith attempt, to try to address the gaps we have in our current health care system. It is an attempt to move us toward universal coverage. Everybody in America should be insured. I think every single Democrat sees that view and I hope over time Republicans in Washington will share that view as all.”

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