Brown joins colleagues to introduce Medicare at 50 legislation

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, joined Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, and Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisconsin, in introducing the Medicare at 50 Act. This legislation would give people between the ages of 50 and 64 years old the option of buying into Medicare. Millions of Americans who are approaching retirement or are being forced to retire early due to layoffs or mandatory retirement face increasing health care needs and rising costs.

“I support Universal coverage and I believe one of the best ways to get there is by opening Medicare up for people in their 50s to voluntarily buy in. This will help millions of people, strengthen the Affordable Care Act and get us closer to our goal of making sure everyone has healthcare coverage,” said Brown, who refused to accept congressional health care and paid his own until the Affordable Care Act was passed an he joined the exchange.

“Our legislation is a win-win for American families,” said Stabenow. “It will help strengthen Medicare, lower costs, and improve care for millions of people.”

“Wisconsinites have sent a clear message to Washington that they want us to work together to expand access to health care and lower costs,” said Baldwin. “Our legislation will give millions of older Americans another choice for more affordable, quality health insurance coverage. For people between the ages of 50 and 64, this is a high quality option that can help reduce health care costs and increase competition in the marketplace.”

Allowing more Americans to buy into Medicare has the potential to lower their costs, reinforce the existing Medicare program, and strengthen the existing health insurance marketplace. Recent polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation indicates that 77 percent of the public supports giving people between the ages of 50 and 64 the option to buy Medicare.

Today, 27 percent of adults approaching retirement are not confident that they can afford health insurance over the next year, and more than a quarter have issues navigating health insurance options, coverage decisions, and out-of-pocket costs. Many did not get the care they needed because of how much it would cost or kept a job or delayed retirement to keep their employer-sponsored health insurance.

Bill would give people ages 50-64 the option to buy in to medicare

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