hide caption, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., arrives with his security detail as senators convene for a rare weekend session to continue work on the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, at the Capitol on Sunday. But lowering Medicare eligibility, as well as the price tag of the broader package, is encountering resistance fromSen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who recently urged fellow Democrats to hit pause on the $3.5 trillion measure. Schumer Backs Sanders' Proposal to Include Dental, Hearing, and Vision Care in Medicare. President Biden's first infrastructure bill has passed. How will Mr. DeSantiss wild Disney ride end? Nearly 15 percent of older adults have no access to high-speed internet at all, and rural residents have been excluded too often. Javascript must be enabled to use this site. The House is in recess and is expected to consider both Biden infrastructure packages when it returns in September. Fox News Prime-Time Ratings Slump In Days Following Tucker Carlsons Firing, Credit Card Delinquencies Test Multi-Year Highs As Job Market Faces 'Material' Worsening, Capital One Warns, NBAs Phoenix Suns Become First Major Sports Team To Ditch Cable, Red States Have Higher Gun Death Rates Than Blue States. The bill still will need to be passed by both the House and Senate; some progressive Democrats want the vote on the bill tied to a vote on a smaller, $550 billion "We'll keep proceeding until we get this bill done," Schumer said. WebThe plan would cut the eligibility age from 65 to 60, adding roughly 23 million Americans into the government health insurance program. I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Improving Medicare Coverage Act to expand access and lower health care costs,said Congresswoman Stevens. --Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). The package contains $284 billion in new transportation spending for an array of needs, including making long-overdue repairs to roadways and bridges, as well 1998 - 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. | All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. Senators have found much to like in the bill, even though it does not fully satisfy liberals, who view it as too small, or conservatives, who find it too large. A group of more than 150 House Democrats from the progressive and centrist wings of the party are launching a campaign to include an expansion of Medicare in President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan, The New York Times reported. As many as 20 Republicans are expected to join Democrats in the evenly split Senate for what would be a robust final tally. That number includes 15 lawmakers from the most vulnerable swing districts. Americans aged 60-64 have the highest mortality rates compared to those in the same age range in peer countries but once they reach 65,mortality ratesdrastically reduce thanks to Medicare. More than 100 House Democrats are backing legislation introduced Friday that would lower Medicare eligibility to age 60, down from 65. Congressional committees are aiming to finish drafting their portions of the budget reconciliation package by Sept. 15. Musks Safety Team Let Him Keep Tweeting. "We're on the cusp of seeing that move through the Senate," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said on "Fox News Sunday," citing "a remarkable coalition" that includes business, labor and lawmakers from both parties. AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that empowers people to choose how they live as they age. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget has estimated that lowering the eligibility age to 60 would cost $200 billion over a decade. In contrast, folding dental, vision and hearing coverage into the traditional Medicare program could cost $358 billion over the next 10 years and possibly more. To donate by check, phone, or other method, see our More Ways to Give page. Paulina Enck is a Press Secretary at the American Action Forum. Lowering the age to 60 from 65 would expand Medicare to at least 23 million people. But the bill's backers argued that the budget office was unable to take into account certain revenue streams including from future economic growth. The Biden Administration and congressional Democrats have named as a priority lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60. Get instant access to members-only products and hundreds of discounts, a FREE second membership, and a subscription toAARP The Magazine. The Improving Medicare Coverage Actwas co-sponsored by at least 125 Democrats, led by Reps. Pramila Jayapal (Wash.), Conor Lamb (Pa.), Joe Neguse (Colo.), Susan Wild (Pa.), Haley Stevens (Mich.) and Debbie Dingell (Mich.). In different ways, all of these provisions helpcombat isolation, which can be so harmful to health. Senators easily overcame another 60-vote hurdle on a vote of 68-29. The Biden Administration and congressional Democrats have named as a priority lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60. Direct to your inbox. Support for Medicare expansion is also high within Congress. Biden did note that the bill "will expand Medicare to cover hearing services so that older Americans can access the affordable care they need ." That's how much the Congressional Budget Office estimates the infrastructure bill would add to the nation's budget deficit over the next 10 years, meaning nearly half of the package's proposed new spending could end up tacked on to the nation's $28.6 trillion debt load. Above: Gottheimer and members of the Bergen County Building and Construction Trades Council and local labor groups push to pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. again. The new bill is expected to be announced sometime in April. The former president has been publicly critical of the bipartisan bill and criticizing Biden and the senators from both parties who support it, though it's unclear whether Trump's broadsides will have much sway with Republican senators. Whether the proposal is It's The AAF Exchange your source for clear, data-driven insight into todays economic and domestic policy issues. If approved, it would go to the House. 1, the "Lower Energy Costs Act." Theres (a) Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. (1) E STABLISHMENT. (A) I N GENERAL.There is established within the Department of Health and Human Services the Office of Climate Change and Health Equity. But it's unclear if they will be considered for votes. 28 Apr 2023 21:26:01 I cover Congress and the Biden Administration. $256 billion. "The American people deserve to have good roads and bridges and infrastructure to drive on, travel on," he said. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., stressed to colleagues that they could proceed the "easy way or the hard way," as the Senate slogged through its second consecutive weekend session. The move is supported by President Joe Bidens American Families Plan. (Photo: John Lamparski/Getty Images). Beyond being supported across the Democratic party, expanding Medicare is popular throughout the country with backing from overwhelming bipartisan majorities. AARP Membership $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Good job bro. The National Poll of Healthy Aging last year found that 93% of senior citizens supported including dental coverage in Medicare. Progressives and advocates for Medicare expansion arent about to give up on expanding eligibility to Americans between the ages of 60 and 64. Facebook privacy settlement: Who is eligible for a payment? (Photo By Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images), First Republic Taken Over By JP Morgan After Regulators Shut It Down, Texas Mass Shooting: Police Have Zero Leads On Suspect Accused Of Killing 5 In Execution-Style Shooting, Weekend Box Office: Super Mario Bros. Will Hit $1 Billion In Sales On Sunday, Studio Says, White House Correspondents Dinner: Biden And Roy Wood Jr. Take Shots At Fox News And GreeneAnd Bidens Age, This Stock Market Indicator Is The Weakest It's Ever BeenAnd Other Warning Signs Are Flaring, Montana Restricts Gender-Affirming CareHere Are All The States With Similar Bans Or Restrictions, First Republic Bank Reportedly On Verge Of Collapse, Chief Justice John Roberts Wife Made Over $10 Million As Legal Consultant, Report Says, Florida Legislature Passes Law Allowing DeSantis To Run For President Without Resigning, California To Only Allow Zero-Emission Trucks In The State By 2045, White House Fires Back At Claim Biden Keeps A Light ScheduleAs Age Concerns Threaten His Re-Election, Billionaire T. Denny Sanford Was Investigated For Child PornographyNewly Unsealed Documents Reveal Why, GOP Scores Early 2024 Win: N.C. Ruling Likely Hands Party More House Seats, Rep. Rashida Tlaib Joins Calls For Feinstein To Step DownHeres Who Else Has Said She Should Resign, Colorado Gov. It would provide federal money for projects many states and cities could not afford on their own. The rare bipartisan momentum was holding steady, a reflection of the bill's popularity and the eagerness of senators to show voters back home they can deliver. We also know that nearly 7 in 10 older Americans outlive their ability to drive.. The bill is also endorsed by local and national organizations including Public Citizen, Indivisible, National Nurses United, the Progressive Democrats of America, Social Security Works, the Center for Popular Democracy, MoveOn, Working Families Party, the Sunrise Movement, the National Health Care for the Homeless Council, and the United Electrical, Radio, and Machine Workers of America. The Senates release of its bipartisan infrastructure plan signals that lawmakers are poised to throw former President Donald Trumps belated bid to lower Were working on ensuring universal health care, and this includes lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60 so that more adults can get the critical access to the quality, affordable health care they need. Another negotiator, Sen. Mitt Romney, R-Utah, acknowledged that no compromise is perfect, but doing nothing when there was a bill before them was not an option. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. As part of the budget More amendments have been offered as senators seek to revise a section on cryptocurrency, a long-shot effort by defense hawks to add $50 billion for defense-related infrastructure and a bipartisan amendment to repurpose a portion of the untapped COVID-19 relief aid that had been sent to the states. AARP Online Fitness powered by LIFT session is a unique program tailored for you. The Biden Administration and congressional Democrats have named as a priority lowering the Medicare eligibility age from 65 to 60. Sanders, I-Vt., are seen in the U.S. Capitol on Monday, August 9, 2021. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), members of the Bergen County Building and Construction Trades A Gallup poll found that 65 percent of Americans across party lines are in favor of lowering the eligibility age. Moderate Sens. THE HILL 1625 K STREET, NW SUITE 900 WASHINGTON DC 20006 | 202-628-8500 TEL | 202-628-8503 FAX. The legislation also includes 10 frontline members as sponsors, who represent some of the most competitive districts in the country. AARP Membership $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal. Additional analysis released Saturday by the budget office suggested infrastructure spending overall could boost productivity and lower the ultimate costs. Nancy LeaMond is AARP's chief advocacy and engagement officer. Anothersurveyshows a full 60 percent of likely voters including a majority of Republicans in favor of lowering the eligibility age. FY23 Community-Based Project Request Form, COVID-19 Relief Resources for Constituents. The bill authorizes $550 billion in new spending, including some $110 billion for roads, bridges and other transportation projects, the largest-ever federal investment in public transit, and funds for airports, Amtrak, electric school buses and broadband internet. The American Action Forum is a 21st century center-right policy institute providing actionable research and analysis to solve Americas most pressing policy challenges. shows the range of impacts of extending Medicare eligibility to those age 60-64.