Harkin floats idea of allowing Medicare to cover children

JOHNSTON – U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin thinks the country should have a debate on whether the Medicare program providing health care to U.S. seniors ought to be expanded to cover children as well.

Harkin floated the idea with reporters after a taping Friday of Iowa Public Television's “Iowa Press.”

“It's not going to happen overnight. I just think it's something that we ought to be talking about, and we ought to debate it. And we ought to see what's the cost, but what's the savings,” Harkin said.

The Democrat, who is chairman of the Senate committee leading health care reform efforts, said it would help solve the problem of children moving on and off the Medicaid rolls based on their parents' income.

The Medicaid program has income guidelines for eligibility, while Medicare coverage would not be reserved for low-income families under Harkin's scenario.

Putting children in the federal Medicare program also would help take the financial burden off states, which pay for a share of Medicaid costs, Harkin said.

He spoke of the administrative problems these state programs face when Medicaid families see a job loss or changes in their income.

“They're in and out, and in and out. Every time that happens, it's an administrative nightmare, and it costs a lot of money,” Harkin said.

He compared the idea of opening up Medicare to children to American public schools – available to all regardless of income.

Another idea he said should be discussed is allowing Americans over the age of 50 to buy into Medicare. He used the example of people who work physically demanding jobs and retire early.

“I think that deserves to be discussed too,” Harkin said.

He also talked about allowing states to develop their own single-payer health care system, considering states are often testing grounds for policies.

“This might be a good test to see if it works or not if a state wants to do it,” Harkin said.

He expects the idea will be offered by someone in Senate floor debate.

Harkin predicted that the long-awaited health care reform legislation would land on President Obama's desk by the end of January.

That's later than Harkin's prediction earlier this year that a bill would be finished by Christmas. But Harkin said he believes the plan Congress will pass will include a strong, public health insurance option, which he said has shown support in polls.

“The American people want this,” Harkin said.