More than 100 House Democrats are backing legislation introduced Friday that would lower Medicare eligibility to age 60, down from 65.
The Improving Medicare Coverage Act was 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.).
Jayapal said the legislation would expand coverage to an additional 23 million people.
“Lowering the Medicare eligibility age will not only be life-changing for at least 23 million people, it will also be life-saving for so many across America who will finally be able to get the care they need and deserve,” Jayapal, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said in a statement.
Democrats are aiming to include the provisions of the bill in the $3.5 trillion reconciliation package focused on “human infrastructure.” They also want that legislation to expand Medicare coverage to hearing, vision and dental care.
“We are the only industrialized nation that does not have guaranteed access to health care for all its citizens – this needs to change now,” Dingell said in a statement. “We’re 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.”
But lowering Medicare eligibility, as well as the price tag of the broader package, is encountering resistance from Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), who recently urged fellow Democrats to “hit pause” on the $3.5 trillion measure.
Congressional committees are aiming to finish drafting their portions of the budget reconciliation package by Sept. 15.