Since 1965, Medicare has ensured guaranteed health care benefits for older adults and people with disabilities. As policymakers grapple with how to reduce the nation’s deficit, many are looking to Medicare for savings. Unfortunately, some of the most discussed Medicare proposals share a common theme: forcing people with Medicare to pay more for less health security.
Some proposals would increase costs for beneficiaries who purchase Medigap plans–a widely used form of supplemental insurance to Medicare. Some proposals would add a surcharge (or tax) to Medigap premiums. Other plans would eliminate or discourage first dollar coverage under Medigap plans – meaning people would pay a larger share of health care costs through increased deductibles, coinsurance and/or co-pays…
