Medicare HCFA should not be allowed to run Medicare or micro manage private sector alternatives. An independent board, including providers and recipients of benefits, should set standards, provide consumer protection and fiscal solvency. The Plan should resemble that which members of Congress and Federal Employees enjoy. Balanced Budget Act of '96 devastated direct care in hospitals, SNF's and Home Health Agencies. I've witnessed this as a Rehabilitation Director in a Nursing Home.
Most plans have a prescription drug option.
Age of eligibility should coincide with start of Social Security. This will worsen as population ages and lives longer. Alzheimer's, Arthritis, neurological and chronic diseases require custodial and constant care. The government, through deductions and incentives, should encourage families to provide in-home long term care including access to Home Health Services, Day Care and Respite Care. Currently Long Term Health Insurance is cost prohibitive for many.