When media reported that President Obama might consider raising Medicare's eligibility age, liberal Democrats hurriedly denounced the idea. So Obama has now backed off.
Obama's quick retreat reminds me of the story of Brave Sir Robin in "Monty Python and the Holy Grail." (Watch it below)
But that very idea of adjusting the age was #1 of 6 recently proposed by The Heritage Foundation to restore Medicare to a sound financial footing. As the Heritage report describes this:
Raise the Social Security eligibility age to match increases in longevity. Originally set at 65, the normal eligibility age is rising two months every year until 2022, when it will reach 67. According to the Social Security actuaries, continuing to increase the eligibility age to 69 by the year 2034 and allowing it to rise more slowly thereafter to reflect gains in longevity could go a long way toward reducing Social Security's funding shortfall. While this would not reduce today's budget deficit, it would strengthen Social Security's finances and dissipate far more important long-term budget pressures.
You can read that full Heritage report here: Now enjoy Monty Python:
