Third Way Statement on Senate Medicare “Buy-In” Agreement
Statement by Jonathan Cowan, Third Way President, on the Senate Medicare “Buy-In” Agreement
December 10, 2009
Third Way applauds the Senate negotiators who created the framework for a breakthrough agreement on the issue of a public option in health reform. In particular, the Medicare “buy-in” for individuals ages 55 and over will achieve the same goals that the advocates of a public option desire while also maintaining the strength of the private sector to offer choice and competition to all Americans.
The Medicare buy-in proposal provides an important additional coverage choice to a population that may otherwise have significant difficulty finding affordable coverage. Moreover, this agreement offers this benefit while maintaining the fundamental role of private insurance.
