Health Care Debate

Open Medicare to All Americans 

Even opponents of much of the health care reform proposals agree that Medicare works. We should open Medicare to all Americans--citizens and legal residents. Premiums for your coverage would be based on income similar to current income tax scales, and paid by payroll deduction for those currently working. Private insurance would continue to be available as it is to current Medicare participants. Employers who offer private insurance as a benefit would be required to offer the Medicare package as an option, and simply redirect the amount they contribute for private insurance to a Medicare premium instead for employees who select that option. Payments would be tied to outcomes instead of procedures to bring down costs and improve care.