Democrats are floating the idea of droping the Medicare eligibility age for the first time in the program’s 55 year history. President Joe Biden is reportedly considering changing the requirement to qualify for the health program from 65 years to 60 years of age. Retired Ripon College economist Paul Schoofs says it would expand health care coverage, potentially saving them thousands of dollars a year. Schoofs says one of the complications that has to be addressed are projections that the Medicare Fund is expected to run short in less than ten years unless there are changes made to how it is funded. Prominent lawmakers are pushing Biden to include the Medicare measure in his next spending bill expected to be announced sometime this month.
