Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., announced the Medicare at 50 Act on Nov. 10, aiming to lower the eligibility age.
Under the bill, people ages 50-64 could buy into Medicare. The buy-in would be optional, and these beneficiaries would be entitled to the same benefits as other Medicare recipients, including Medicare Advantage access.
States would not be able to offload Medicaid beneficiaries in this age range, retaining them in Medicaid rather than transferring them to Medicare. The bill also proposes the Medicare Buy-In Trust Fund, a dedicated trust fund for these premiums.
An advisory committee called the Medicare Buy In Oversight Board would monitor the program. The bill would set aside $500 million per year for grants for outreach and enrollment, as well.
Ms. Baldwin’s bill is the latest Democrat-led push to lower the Medicare eligibility age. Ms. Baldwin, among other Senate Democrats, have supported aligned legislation in 2019 and 2021. In October, House Democrats introduced a similar bill to lower the eligibility age through different mechanisms. That bill includes a sunset date.
According to a policy agenda shared by Politico in September, House Democrats planned to prioritize lowering the Medicare eligibility age. Other proposals, such as expanded health coverage for young people and “Medicare for All,” have also been gaining traction. Several healthcare policies, including forthcoming Medicaid changes, could be reshaped as Democrats take control of Congress.
