As the health care debate continues in Washington, so does the unwillingness to expand Medicare coverage. This time, the Democrats in the Senate oppose the expansion.
Senate Democrats on Monday evening dropped a plan to expand Medicare, winning the support of moderates and the reluctant acquiescence of liberals, in another major step toward building enough support to pass a health-care overhaul.
The idea of letting people ages 55 to 64 buy into Medicare, announced just last week, had threatened to explode the Democrats’ hopes of getting a bill through the Senate.
So with the rejection of the Medicare expansion plan, the Democrats still feel that an overall health care reform bill can be passed.
The consensus on dropping the Medicare expansion puts Democrats close to locking up the 60 votes they need to overcome Republican opposition.
Republican Senator John McCain said,
“Whether expansion of Medicare is in or out…doesn’t affect the core problem with this legislation, which is that it does not reduce costs” and increases the size of government.”
Republicans decried the Democratic deal making, and urged the majority party to slow action on legislation they contend will undermine the U.S. economy.
So with both parties still opposing certain aspects of the expansion, Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada and other party leaders want to “head off the dispute” between the parties.
“Democrats aren’t going to let the American people down,” Mr. Reid said. “We all stand shoulder to shoulder.”
So with the ongoing opposition to proposed Medicare expansion and other ideas to turn around health care in this country, do you feel that there is too much resistance in Washington and not enough cooperation? Furthermore, do you feel that Medicare should be expanded? Let us know your thoughts on this issue.
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