USA: PRESIDENT CLINTON PROPOSES NEW MEDICARE BENEFITS PLAN

Описание: (6 Jan 1998) English/Nat

U-S President Bill Clinton proposed a plan on Tuesday to help nearly a million uninsured people who are at greater risk for being denied private health coverage,

The plan calls for early retirees and laid-off workers to be able to buy into Medicare as early as age 55.

It is a plan thousands of Americans will welcome.

The president's new plan, if approved by Congress, would let some Americans between 62 and 65 get Medicare benefits early.

They would need to pay a monthly premium of about $300 - plus an additional monthly payment of 10 dollars (US) to 20 dollars (US) - to get government health insurance through Medicare.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"This is an entirely new way of adapting a programme that has worked in the past to the needs of the future. It is a fiscally responsible plan that finances itself by charging an affordable premium upfront and a small payment later to ensure this places no new burden on Medicare. It will provide access to healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Americans and it is clearly the right thing to do."
SUPERCAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton

The President said this proposal would help people who have spent their lives working hard, supporting their families and contributing to society.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"It is the first time people between the ages of 62 and 65 will be able to buy into the Medicare programme at a fixed premium rate that for many is far more affordable than private insurance, but firmly based in the cost of insuring people in this age group."
SUPERCAPTION: U-S President Bill Clinton

Once they became fully eligible for Medicare at age 65, people who bought in early would pay slightly higher out-of-pocket fees than those who did not.

Additionally, laid-off workers over age 55 would be offered a similar buy-in option.

All three proposals were designed to be fully paid for by new beneficiaries, so as not to add costs to the already-strained Medicare program, Clinton added.

The announcement has been supported by many Democrats in Congress - but will still face a major battle to get passed in the Republican controlled House of Representatives.

SOUNDBITE: (English)
"I join with many of my colleagues in commending the president on this historical proposal that will provide good quality health care to millions of our fellow citizens. Millions of our fellow citizens who are too young for Medicare and too sick for private health insurance and they are moving towards retirement period. This, I think, is an enormously important. It's a lifeline."
SUPERCAPTION: Ted Kennedy, U-S Senator

Republicans on Capitol Hill have expressed doubt that the buy-in could work without additional government spending.

About 900-thousand Americans without health insurance are between the ages of 62 and 64, according to estimates based on a 1997 Census Bureau survey.

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