12 May 2016 - Health policy experts have long argued that Congress should let older Americans buy into Medicare before they become eligible for it at 65.

Hillary Clinton said this week that she supports this option, which could help expand coverage and cut the cost of insurance for some people.

Many lawmakers, as well as former President Bill Clinton, have said in the past that people between 55 and 65 should be allowed to buy into Medicare, which has lower administrative costs than private insurance because it pays lower reimbursement rates to doctors and hospitals and does not have to turn a profit.

Congress even considered this provision when it was debating the Affordable Care Act, but did not include it in the law because of opposition from Republicans, conservative Democrats and former Senator Joseph Lieberman, the Connecticut independent.

For more details, go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/opinion/a-medicare-option-for-the-uninsured.html?emc=edit_th_20160512&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=20088616