Hot damn: Biden rolls out Medicare and student debt proposals

[Recursion]

Holy crap I love these

https://www.axios.com/joe-biden-bernie-sanders-medicare-student-debt-8541ae75-077b-4752-9b3d-cd149003b9d3.html

Cancels all student debt for people making less than $125K

Lowers the Medicare eligibility age to 60

Wow. Wow. And wow.

[msongs]

1. open medicare to thos who want it (gradually lower the age limit over time?)

[csziggy]

7. Offer it to all young people as they enter the workforce and keep them on it as they age

At the same time, lower the eligibility age. When the two meet, we have Medicare for All!

Though I suspect this Covid-19 pandemic will show many people how bad having employer linked insurance is. Far too many people are going to lose their coverage during this crisis. If the Supreme Court throws out the ACA, then pre-exisitng conditions will exclude many from getting insurance, even those whose lungs are damaged during this event.

We will end up with more people who are un-insurable than we did before Obamacare - and more pressure for a national health care system that will be available to all.

[Claustrum]

2. Love the Medicare but not so much on student debt

If you are single and making $125k, you can pay at least portion of your student debt. I am all for lowering the debt but not the whole thing.

[Recursion]

3. We can tweak the numbers

The point is that it's forgiving the loans of the people whose loans haven't paid for themselves.

[SLClarke]

21. Most people earning 125K

Most people earning 125k are not single. They could be working in SF or NY or DC where 125K is a barely existing wage.
To pay off the student loans of all who earn below will not only benefit them, it will make a difference to your ability to maintain the kind of lifestyle you want. I don't know who said this, but they said something to the effect of that if one of us does not benefit from social justice, then none of us do. Conversely, if one of us is struggling to stay financially afloat, then a heck of a lot of us are also struggling.

[Claustrum]

23. I lived in all 3 places you mentioned and earned 70k+ that time

I lived in all 3 places you mentioned and earned 70k+ that whole time. I have to make some sacrifice and I was able to pay off my student loans in 4 years. Like I said, I have no problem with lowering the amount to a reasonable level. But I am against outright erasing all of it. You can make some smaller payments when you are making 75k+ (single).

[LisaM]

49. Especially depending on the job.

If someone is in health care, I think forgiving debt is one thing. If someone is writing code for video games, well....I mean, I just think that there is a difference.

[Claustrum]

53. It also depend on the size of the student debt.

If you earn 50k and have 200k+ student debt, of course you need help. But if you are single and makes 125k, you can handle your 100-200k debt.

[mike_c]

66. there is a demographic this will really help

I'm 65. I'm partly retired (my employer has an early retirement program that lets me collect my modest pension while still working part time). I started Medicare eight days ago. I'm putting off claiming social security until I reach full retirement age in about a year and a half. That's also when my early retirement program ends (for me).

I borrowed money for college and grad school 30 years ago. Those programs were utterly predatory, designed to attract lots of private investment in education lending. The interest rate on my consolidated loans is 8.25%. I've been making monthly payments for 25 years, i.e. during my entire career in higher education, and the loan principle has barely declined. I still owe almost as much as I did when I finished grad school, but now I'm going to be on a retiree's fixed income. When I cannot make full payments-- and that's a when, not an if, they will garnish my social security benefits. I wasn't eligible for loan forgiveness despite a career in qualifying public service because my repayment plan isn't one of the qualifying plans, but Trump's Dept of Ed isn't forgiving even the loans that do qualify so that's a moot point.

Loan forgiveness will make a huge difference for my wife and me.

[Claustrum]

67. I am definitely on-board with helping people in your situation.

I am just against a blanket "anyone earning under 125k gets all loans forgiven". It should be treated differently for different age group and life circumstance. Of course, most new grads will be earning under 125k, but doesn't mean they can't advance in their career and gradually pay more. Still, I am all for lowering the total debt to a manageable sum and cap the interest rate. Wherein, someone like you who is near/at retirement, we should forgive the whole loan.

[mike_c]

70. I would be satisfied if they'd just make those loans dischargable in bankruptcy

Bankruptcy is not a free pass. It has real consequences for discharging debt, but it exists because we understand that people's circumstances change and we need to treat one anther compassionately. But just making student loans dischargable, maybe after some number of payments have accrued, would make a big difference.

[LisaM]

78. I don't necessarily think people who are single should be penalized.

I was one of those for many years. It's harder to foot all your bills by yourself, no matter how small a space you're in - even in a little studio I had for a few years, I needed to pay all my own bills, rent, food, electricity, phone, etc. And not all people are single by choice! (Though maybe you are speaking of people who have dependents).

It took me a long time to pay off my student loans because I had low paying jobs for a long time. Now, I didn't expect to monetize my degree - I went to college for an education, not to become rich - but even my at the time mid-size loan was a burden to pay off and I really do sympathize. But as a taxpayer funding state institutions, my inclination would be that I'd prefer to fund education for health care workers and teachers, not someone whose goal is to be a hedge fund manager for example.

It's complicated, no doubt about it. I really don't like all the usurious interest piled on - it seems to me that by knocking a lot of the interest and penalties off the top, we'd be getting somewhere.

[Tink41]

61. I dont agree

You sound like my friends who don't want anyone getting what they didn't. I had no student loans, college was beyond my parents understanding. I sent my child to College, they would have an opportunity I didn't. I would love for their student loans to be forgiven.
I'd be relieved to free them from that debt. It's not much, but if it gives the younger generation a leg up I'm all for it.
I wonder if you thought it unfair when private lenders got into the student loan business and drove up he price of higher education?

[Claustrum]

64. Once again, I didn't say no help at all.

I just said they should still pay a reasonable amount, rather than erasing the whole thing. Leave the whole forgiveness for people earning under 75k. We shouldn't do a blanket forgiveness. We should give actual help when it's needed. If you earn 75k+, you can pay at least $100-200 a month.

Higher education price is another problem onto itself. I think we need a tuition program that is linked to their graduates employment placement and their starting salary. You shouldn't charge students 50k a year when only 10% of the graduates get hired and if they get hired, it's only 40k salary.

Afterall, it's still upon the student to do proper research on how much their degree is worth and if their future career is worth the price. Of course, we have to make it easier for them to see these stats as well.

Edit: there is a big difference between paying half the paycheck to student loan (which definitely need help) and 5-10% of the paycheck (don't need as much help).

[Tink41]

69. Ok

Part of this makes sense. No argument there, if you need assistance you'll get it. As far as this other thing you just added, it's upon the student to do proper research..... Good Luck. 18 yr olds?? Really? I'm 50+ w a fantastic career that I never wanted, and to this day I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up.

[Claustrum]

72. That's why I said the tuition should be linked to employment aspect

Though, in reality, it would be extremely hard to implement and it's just a dream/idea that I have.

[ConnorMarc]

76. If you are making 125K and still consider yourself to be struggling...?

You're doing it wrong.

No matter where you live.

[lunasun]

62. If you are 60 making $125 k maybe you can get your own healthcare . I wonder if there will

be some push back on that too by others with the same thinking

[brush]

79. Not many student debt holders are making anywhere near to 125k. I say get them..

out of the hole and free up money for them to buy —you know, help the economy.

[xmas74]

98. Early negotiating

Aim high and hopefully meet in the middle.

[bearsfootball516]

4. But Joe isn't progressive enough, right??

[ConnorMarc]

77. No, he isn't.

This just came out.

And he did say on tape, "Nothing is going to fundamentally change."

Being a fanboy is one thing, but let's not try to change the facts here folks.

[Boomerproud]

5. Play it smart and there will be no regrets.

[vercetti2021]

6. It was Bernie

He did he pushed him! It was him all along!

[Igel]

17. It's Bernie's voters.

Biden needs them.

[vercetti2021]

18. They don't vote anyways

We need indies.

[questionseverything]

33. wrong

I am 61 and have voted every election since I was 18

these are great ideas biden has added and I really appreciate him reaching out to the "berners"

these are the kinds of ideas that can build excitement, please don't step on that

[yaesu]

39. well said, I can never figure out why people continue to put down bernie supporters

when they know all it does is help tRump.

[questionseverything]

43. i think what we have to concentrate on is biden's actions,not his supporters

and todays announcement is certainly a great step in the correct direction

shows he wants us all !

[brush]

80. Sanders' big mistake was dipping in and out of the party when he wanted to run.

And being a socialist of course. If he had just joined the party and stayed in he might've won our nomination, either last time or this time he'd be the one announcing those platform planks.

Of course he would've had to stop attacking the Democratic Party establishment.

Pragmatism and compromise were never his strong points. Too bad.

[questionseverything]

106. the kind of ideas announced today can really build excitement and unity

please don't step on that

when you beat a dead horse it just wears out your arm

[brush]

112. Just sayin', it could've been him.

[Sienna86]

25. Thanks Bernie for helping this to happen.

It’s a good thing.

[Raven123]

44. Yes he does.

[ConnorMarc]

84. If Biden loses

And that's a very loose "if."

I don't wanna hear any caterwauling and gnashing of teeth from the likes of you, blaming the "rude and crude" BernieBros.

[vercetti2021]

87. I will blame where blame is due

If Bernie people sit and and continue to protest vote. I will partially blame them. And I will voice my opinion.

[vercetti2021]

89. 15%

Compared to the many indies we need. Idgaf if those bros don't vote. Shows they weren't dems all along. I'm more pissed than smug because I keep seeing smug bros out there crying and threatening to either be nice to them or they won't vote.

Its like taking a child's toy away and they kick and scream until they get their way. Well I'm not going to deal with it this time.

[ConnorMarc]

91. YOU'RE pissed?

Did you observe how the Establishment treating Bernie and his supporters over the last 2 to 2.5 years?

[vercetti2021]

92. Ah there it is

I'm not doing this. Wtf have we done to his supporters? They actively pushing fake rape allegations, saying Joe has dementia, calling Pete a rat, attacking Elizabeth Warren. Yeah they are so mistreated. They deserve as much ridicule for pitting the party against one another. Bernie failed to realize that establishment. Mainly minority voters, women, and LGBT voters is something he needed.

I am done here. His bros don't deserve respect or anything kindness as this point in the game. They've caused enormous problems as Is.

[ConnorMarc]

100. Good.

Then don't come crying when he loses.

Win w/o the so-loathed BernieBros.

Good luck.

[John Fante]

101. We will.

[Hekate]

107. How rude

[SoonerPride]

8. Gradually lowering the age for Medicare eligibility is the only way to get from where we are

and to Medicare for all.

A multi year plan of lowering the age of eligibility in 5 year increments every two years will get us to full coverage.

65 to 60
60 to 55
55 to 50
50 to 45
45 to 40
40 to 35

etc.

Trying to automatically move everyone off of employer plans and union plans is too monumental an undertaking and fraught with administrative as well as personal coverage fears.

A slower rollout isn't as satisfying as Medicare for all NOW, but it is a more logical and reasoned way to approach it and actually get it done. It is a smart play by Biden's team.

[Recursion]

13. Yep. That's how it's going to happen (nt)

[Zoonart]

57. Exactly.

[Ilsa]

30. That was my idea as well. And corporations should support it

because it benefits them to keep older employees who will only need less expensive supplemental plans.

As older adults get canned by corporations as they get older and need insurance more, Medicare eligibility should be lowered to gradually add more seniors.

[SoonerPride]

40. It seems too logical for people not to get on board with it

I don't know why I never hear any politicos talking sense like this.

[FiveGoodMen]

51. Unless they're being bribed

[xmas74]

102. I've said this since Day 1.

Strengthen the ACA, automatically enact Medicaid expansion in all states and territories, drop Medicare enrollment age by 2 years each year until age 50 and then revisit the situation. Finally, open CHIPS to all children born in the US and its territories without an income cap. Paperwork would be filed alongside a birth certificate or social security number. All children would be automatically covered at birth with the possibilty of maybe a copay by income at the dr office. Final step would be automatic coverage of all pregnant women in Medicaid for pregnant women.

Everything needs to be in increments. It isn't as sexy but it would be stronger and much easier to do.

(I also would like to see WIC expanded to all, regardless of income. The first pregnancy appointment at the dr would include applications for Medicaid for pregnant women and WIC. Baby's application would be part of hospital paperwork at birth. Upon enrollment into kindergarten would be automatic enrollment into free lunch program, regardless of income. Nutrition plays an important role in health and should fit hand in glove with a medical plan.)

[eleny]

10. You have to the get the votes and this is the way you start the ball rolling

Otherwise you have nothing. That's the cold hard fact. Biden starts with this proposal and the steamroller starts its engine.

All or nothing is a fool's errand.

[tecelote]

48. Thanks for that!

[ck4829]

12. How would the logistics of this work?

I want to do a lot of what you say, but I don't think it can be done in the course of a day, a week, a month, or even a year.

[MineralMan]

15. Uh, no.

[burrowowl]

37. I'm with you!

[Maru Kitteh]

11. YESSSSSS!!!!!! Time to go make a donation!

[Bengus81]

14. Medicare costs me a lot more per month more than the ACA ever did............

So those under 65 might be in for a surprise. Glad it's there and available but I think most are under the impression that it's free because you've paid in all your working life. Nope.........

[mountain grammy]

19. Wow, that's amazing..

That wasn't true for us. Turning 65 saved us $300 a month.. My good friend with private insurance, an ACA plan pays $1200 a month just for her, a cancer survivor. She's afraid they'll run out of money before she's eligible for Medicare.

[SMC22307]

95. No, 'most' aren't under that impression.

Was your ACA heavily subsidized because I just don't see how that's possible, considering a 62-year-old neighbor is paying about $1200/month for health insurance.

[Bengus81]

113. I did get a subsidy on mine but I don't see how that guy is paying $1200 per month...

That's what BCBS was charging the ACA for my plan $1200-1400 which those nice people at BCBS had JACKED from about $350 when Trump started trying to destroy the ACA. I could buy that same plan directly (why would anyone do that?) from BCBS for what your neighbor is paying.

I had basically the same plan for YEARS with BCBS before the ACA. I started with the ACA when first required a few years before I turned 65 and it was a mirror of my BCBS plan. It went fine for a year or two before Trump and his thugs tried to dismantle it then the price they started charging the Gov went through the roof which is exactly what Trump wanted.

I'm in pretty good health and had a ACA plan with a larger deductible and the subsidy's lowered it but I do pay more for my Medicare. My point is any of you well under 65 don't think for a minute that Medicare is somehow free. Right now it's about $145 per month that comes out of your SS each month and then a supplemental plan which costs me another $160 per month and then another $198 per year that's on each person for your deductible. It's great that it's out there or seniors would never be able to afford health insurance but it's not free like many think.

[MoonlitKnight]

16. It's a start

I think refinancing student debt at zero percent is a better first step. Tie repayment to income level. Then remainder is forgiven if under income threshold after a few years. We pretty much had that under Clinton and it worked very well.

60 is a start for Medicare. Would prefer to start at 50 or 55, but 60 is better than nothing. For current crisis, it should be open to anyone unemployed. Once reemployed you get to stay on or go to employer plan - but it’s a one time change.

[liberalmuse]

20. Thanks to Sanders and Warren who pushed for these. This makes me happy!

Now we need to get him in office, take a majority in the Senate and keep our House majority.

[questionseverything]

28. and thanks to biden for being open to the ideas!

[liberalmuse]

32. Oh hell yeah!

I supported Warren, but have no reservations going all in for Biden.

[questionseverything]

34. i would still love to see warren as vp

medicare at 60 makes me way more excited to support him

[liberalmuse]

36. Me too.

I see her in a top leadership position. She's too smart and actually has thought-out plans.

[questionseverything]

42. she is a detail person...let joe provide the big picture,let liz get it done!

[Raven123]

45. And we need him to follow through

[Beartracks]

103. Yes, getting majorities puts our progressives in a good position...

... to push for the changes they'd like to see.

No majority, no chance.

============

[B Stieg]

22. These both apply to me and would literally change my life/nt

[lunasun]

63. Neither apply to me but I have been a big supporter of both ideas

[B Stieg]

93. Thank you!

[Bettie]

24. Good first steps

that is good and honestly, far more than I expected him to put forth.

[rocktivity]

26. Hands up who DIDN'T see this coming

Last edited Sat Apr 11, 2020, 02:41 PM - Edit history (2)

Of course Joe and Bernie cut a deal. And Joe had BETTER come up with a more progressive, less centrist platform if he's serious about beating Trump by a cheatproof margin.


rocktivity

[HarlanPepper]

83. I'm fine with that as a a quasi centrist

I don't need to have my every ideological grievance-need catered to in order to motivate me to get rid of Dump. If Biden adopting some of the other candidates' ideas helps do that, then that's the direction he should go.

[smirkymonkey]

27. Yesss!

I am totally on board with this! I suddenly find myself very enthusiastic about his candidacy.

[Just_Vote_Dem]

29. Some great ideas there from our next President! n/t

[SKKY]

31. That student debt thing will be huge. That will mean a lot. To a lot of folks.

[Indykatie]

35. These Are Bolder Moves Than Many Expected

Lowering the Medicare eligibility threshold and shoring up the ACA will go a long way in improving access and Biden can probably get it done. Dismantling the current health insurance infrastructure in favor of M4All was never going to happen so this is an excellent compromise in my opinion. I won't be surprised if we still have some Bernie supporters and far left folks screaming that it's not enough.

[Cha]

38. KR!

[RoadRising]

41. Hope student loan forgiveness ...

... gets more generous for those in public service. I have two daughters carrying student loans for graduate school. They both needed masters degrees, one to become a school social worker and the other a school psychologist. They both work in public schools with high at-risk student populations.

They and others in similar circumstances should have debt straight-out forgiven.

[questionseverything]

47. i think there were already plans in place to forgive those loans

the current occupant illegally is denying that forgiveness...electing a democrat will fix that


truthfully there is hardly anything electing a democrat won't help

[RoadRising]

58. Hope so, I'll check it out

And yes, nothing matters more than removing Trump

[questionseverything]

60. wc to du...this article has some info to be aware of

https://www.forbes.com/sites/zackfriedman/2019/01/03/student-loan-forgiveness-data/#742c970c68d0

1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness: Requirements

It's not as simple as saying you "work" in public service.

The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is a federal program that forgives federal student loans for borrowers who are employed full-time (more than 30 hours per week) in an eligible federal, state or local public service job or 501(c)(3) nonprofit job who make 120 eligible on-time payments.

The Trump Administration wants to end public service loan forgiveness and has advocated for a simpler, income-driven repayment plan.

2. Complete the Employment Certification Form

In addition to meeting the requirements for public service loan forgiveness, you must complete the Employment Certification Form.

How often should you submit the employment certification form for public service loan forgiveness?

You should submit this form to the U.S. Department of Education:


///////////////////////////////////////////////

and of course democrats will have to clean up trumps mess in this department too but at least we know democrats had a good plan in place at one time and will again!

[ehrnst]

46. Good that he's taking HRC's lead on dropping the age for Medicare eligibility

and on keeping financial assistance fo higher education in the hands of those who need it, and not just everyone.

[pamdb]

50. BIden and sanders

$125,000 is a hell of a lot for someone just out of college. I think it should be more
like $75,000. Maybe doctors and lawyers make that kind of money, but as a retired librarian, I can tell you that not only do you have to have a masters degree in library science, but
you're not going to get a job at $175,000 to start out.

And I would lower the medicare age to 55.

But that's just me

[meadowlander]

75. Doctors and lawyers are also more likely to have significant student debt.

Maybe you make $40K as a librarian but it's unlikely you have more than $60K in student debt while the doctor or lawyer that makes $125K has $300K in debt for med school or law school.

Anyway, why begrudge anyone getting out from under debt for their education? At my peak I was up to $80K. I've paid off $70K of it now (only took 26 years!) so the proposal would only help with the last little bit but I'm happy for anyone else who doesn't have to delay buying a house or having kids. Their spending in the economy supports my employment.

[Claustrum]

81. I don't think it's begrudging.

I am just being a realist where the money is either borrowed or we have to raise taxes for it. So we have a limited sum. I would much rather focus on helping people earning under 75k and instead of whole forgiveness for 75-125k, lower the total debt and cap the interest for them based on their circumstance.

A new grad making 75k as a first job have a much better ability to pay off the student debt than a near retirement person earning 75k. Once again, the new grad should get the total debt reduced to a reasonable amount and lower the interest rate.

If I am Oprah and say everyone gets a car (and actually can afford it), I would. But that's not the reality for us.

[meadowlander]

82. Cancelling all existing student debt would essentially pay for itself over 10-15 years

in macro-economic benefits.

http://www.levyinstitute.org/pubs/rpr_2_6.pdf

"The policy of debt cancellation (of the current $1.4 trillion in student debt) could boost real GDP by an average of $86 billion to $108 billion per year. Over the 10-year forecast, the policy generates between $861 billion and $1,083 billion in real GDP (2016 dollars).

Eliminating student debt reduces the average unemployment rate by 0.22 to 0.36 percentage points over the 10-year forecast.

Peak job creation in the first few years following the elimination of student loan debt adds roughly 1.2 million to 1.5 million new jobs per year.

Research suggests many other positive spillover effects that are not accounted for in these simulations, including increases in small business formation, degree attainment, and household formation, as well as improved access to credit and reduced household vulnerability to business cycle downturns. Thus, our results provide a conservative estimate of the macro effects of student debt liberation."

For some reason there is always money for wars and tax cuts for billionaires. Why start from the proposition that we "have a limited sum" to address the crippling effects of student debt over the lifetime earning potential and quality of life of millions of Americans?

The policy should be analysed against the dollar returned for dollar spent and then compared across a number of other possible programmes. We should be investing in things like food stamps and student loan reduction that grow the economy, increase the economic resilience of the poor and middle classes.

[Claustrum]

85. Thank you for the article

I have no way to judge the validity of the article. It's a lot of guess work involved.

It sounds a lot like the trickle-down estimates that republicans like to throw out that would justify any tax cuts because it will pay for itself.

[Marrah_Goodman]

52. I like the student loan forgiveness

am sort of meh about lowering medicare to 60. I would have rather seen at least a medicare for all who want it. Regardless, a positive start. I can't wait to vote Trump out of the WH.

[zentrum]

54. Medicare for all. n/t

[Tribetime]

55. I love the Medicare for 60

Hopefully it can continue to go down

[SheltieLover]

56. Gooooo Joe! 👏👏👏👏👏

[Quixote1818]

59. Good to see Joe isn't taking any chances and not taking anything for granted. nt

[SharonClark]

65. Currently, if you take Medicare before

your full retirement age, you do not get the full amount. I support lowering the age to 60.

But I’m totally opposed to forgiving student loans for anyone making less than $125,000. That amount of income would make you rich in much of the country.

I don’t believe loans should ever be totally forgiven but drastically reduced for anyone making less than $60K or teachers.

[Claustrum]

68. I agree. We have a similar stance on student debt. n/t

[blm]

73. Or nurses

[SoonerPride]

94. You are thinking of Social Security not Medicare

You can only enroll in Medicare if you are age 65 or if under 65 you have to be disabled or have end stage renal disease. And there is no “lower amount,”

You are describing taking Social Security prior to full retirement age.

[lunasun]

114. Can you take Medicare before 65 ? Or do you mean for disabled they get less healthcare? Or that

disabled pay more on Medicare?

[ismnotwasm]

71. K&R

[DeminPennswoods]

74. It's a start on student debt

125k isn't as much as it sounds when one's student debt may also be 6 figures. The 125k should probably be AGI rather than just total income.

Again, lowering the age for medicare is a start. I agree that it should gradually lower until everyone is covered. The fact is employer-based health insurance is a relic of WWII wage and price controls and having a job with the same employer for your working life. That economic model no longer applies to working age Americans.

[andym]

86. We almost had a Medicare buy in for 55 year olds, but for Lieberman in 2009

https://www.politico.com/story/2009/12/lieberman-says-no-to-medicare-buy-in-030553

Sen. Joe Lieberman told Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid Sunday that he couldn’t support a new Medicare proposal floated as a compromise to the public option, a development that complicates the bill’s path towards passage before the end of the year.

In a meeting in Reid’s office just off the Senate floor, aides said the Connecticut independent reiterated his concerns with the public insurance option and told the Nevada Democrat that he couldn’t support a new plan to allow people as young as 55 to buy into Medicare.

[essme]

90. What a dick. Seriously it would give freedom to people....

...to retire in their 50's instead of working themselves to death for employer paid health care til 65. For people without employer paid HC at least it gives then 5 or 10 YEARS to retire earlier.

I hate Lieberman - and Gore must have had blinders on when he selected him as VP. Still won the popular vote but lost the EC. Lieberman exited NO ONE. Kind of like Kaine who was definitely nicer https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Kaine and an NOT an actual "dickweed middle of the roader" but still as exciting as a vanilla soda.

I sure hope that Biden does not pull what Hillary Clinton and Al Gore pulled with their bad or weak selections. Neither Lieberman nor Kaine won either candidate a swing state. Kaine was nice (really nice) but fuck all, please...Lieberman? WTF?!

[andym]

97. I agree

I hope Biden picks someone who is much better than the person Al Gore picked. It would have been wonderful to have had the Medicare buy-in--the ACA would have been much stronger with it.

[ooky]

104. And you can be sure that the insurance industry lined Lieberman's pockets in gold. nt

[SMC22307]

96. I wish he had gone for Medicare at 55, but I'll take 60.

I'm afraid Fat Nixon will now come out and say 55 and his dumbass supporters will believe it.

[Blue Owl]

99. K&R

[notinkansas]

105. In the middle of a pandemic

when millions of people have lost their employer health insurance, his healthcare proposal is to reduce the Medicare eligibility age to 60?? Lame!!!

[Hekate]

108. Were you awake when Joe pushed the ACA through? You have any idea what's really in that?

The GOP has done their utmost to obliterate it, but it mostly still stands, and Joe Biden would restore it and expand it. Especially if we voters have the brains to give him a Democratic House and Senate to work with for all 4 years instead of thinking we're sending a "message" by staying home in the midterms.

"Lame"? Yeah, sure.

[questionseverything]

109. medicare @ 60 is in addition to

strong public option

higher subsidies for aca

so overall lot of options for folks

I would rather see it lowered to 55 but 60 is a big improvement

[notinkansas]

110. Too many people

will be barely able to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. I don't think the availability of a public option will help people who may be under- or un- employed.

We have to do better.

[questionseverything]

111. people that are unemployed should be able to get medicaid or a fully subsided premium

I agree we need to do more to help with co pays and medicare as it is only covers 80%

but lowering the medicare age to 60 is a good start

[notinkansas]

116. I'm not seeing lowering the eligibility age

by five years as a good start. It seems to me that it indicates that Joe isn't really interested in a real fix for the health care system and is offering this token measure instead.

We/he can and should do much better than that.

[questionseverything]

117. honestly i feel his student loan forgival is too generous and his healthcare too lean but

democracy is about the art of compromise and I appreciate biden showing he is will to work with us berners

we have to get in power to change anything

we know the republican plan is die fast and early so the democratic message is pretty great comparatively !

[Tribetime]

115. I wish they would upgrade medicare to medicaid

For the elderly so that the co pays and prescriptions dont kill their fixed budgets