Brian Higgins: “With the Congressional Budget Office reporting that 22 million people would lose healthcare coverage and premiums for…”

“With the Congressional Budget Office reporting that 22 million people would lose healthcare coverage and premiums for those who keep their coverage increasing by more than 20 percent next year, it is not surprising that the Republican Senate bill was pulled due to a pervasive lack of interest and support. Hit hardest under the pulled Senate bill were low-and middle-income Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 and people with preexisting diseases like cancer and diabetes. The time has come for this Congress to use the leverage of a massive purchaser of healthcare--the Federal Government--and authorize a Medicare buy-in for Americans between the ages of 50 and 64. With the leverage of 60 million-plus beneficiaries and low administrative costs, a Medicare buy-in option for the 50 to 64 population will drive down costs and drive up the quality of healthcare. We have an obligation to the American people. ____________________”