Colorado Democrats Push to Lower Medicare Age to 60

7 Comments

by: Colorado Pols

(Clockwise from top left): Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Ed Perlmutter, and Jason Crow

All four of Colorado’s Democratic Members of Congress — Reps. Diana DeGette, Joe Neguse, Jason Crow, and Ed Perlmutter — have signed onto legislation seeking to lower the age for Medicare eligibility from 65 to 60.

This legislation comes as Democrats are working to expand Medicare benefits through their multi-trillion-dollar spending proposal being used to fulfill much of President Joe Biden’s domestic agenda. The lawmakers are introducing this legislation with the hopes of it being included in the final reconciliation package…

…Lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 60 is widely popular across the Democratic caucus, with 70% pledging to support the measure earlier this year. It is even a priority that Biden himself has called for. Lowering the eligibility age by five years would expand Medicare to at least 23 million people, according to the cosponsors of the legislation.

In addition to trying to include a lower Medicare eligibility age in the reconciliation package, Democrats also want to use the voting maneuver, which allows them to pass legislation without relying on Republican votes, to also include a historic of expansion of Medicare to cover hearing, dental and vision care for the first time.

Polling data shows that reducing the age for Medicare qualification and expanding the program to cover hearing, dental, and vision care are both broadly popular ideas.

7 thoughts on “Colorado Democrats Push to Lower Medicare Age to 60”

Gorky Pulviczek says:

September 3, 2021 at 4:51 pm

Good for them! Many of our younger friends and relatives are concerned about lack of opportunity for advancement. If Medicare eligibility were lowered to 60, I think a large number of us "olds" would retire sooner, giving room for the next generations to move up the career ladder.

Additionally, having an on-average younger, healthier pool for Medicare should lead to an average per-user cost decrease.

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Conserv. Head Banger says:

September 3, 2021 at 4:58 pm

"………cover hearing, dental, and vision care for the first time."

That's not quite accurate. I have all three covered through my Medicare Advantage plan.

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davebarnes says:

September 3, 2021 at 7:06 pm

I oppose this.

It should be 1 year per year, in my opinion.

And, the Medicare tax needs to raised by 9 basis points per year.

Slow and steady wins the race.

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Gilpin Guy says:

September 4, 2021 at 7:36 am

I have a relative who is in the 60-65 gap and essentially unemployable due to age discrimination and health issues. It would be a god send if she could get covered.

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1. Conserv. Head Banger says:
  
  September 4, 2021 at 11:48 am
  
  If she's local, have her check with Colorado Vocational Rehabilitation. VR is part of State Human Services. VR counselors work with those who have disabilities and try to place them.
  
  Regarding age discrimination, AARP does a lot of work on that. AARP has chapters in virtually every state.
  
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2. CDW says:
  
  September 4, 2021 at 1:42 pm
  
  I have two relatives approaching the 60 year mark. One is afraid of being phased out because of his age (isn't there a law against that?) and the other is not in good health. Although they would continue to work if possible, lowering the age to 60 would relieve them of a lot of nerve-wracking tension if they knew they had a safety net.
  
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spaceman2021 says:

September 6, 2021 at 10:14 am

Nothing like Labor Day in the U.S. to elevate symbolism over real protections for workers. So to afford my expensive and inadequate health insurance, I'll be working today instead of enjoying the fruits of my labor. Yay, 'murica.

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