Seniors can choose to stay in the current system. Or they could choose a different plan that meets their particular needs - maybe eye care or dental care. All seniors will get help buying prescription drug coverage. And all low-income seniors will have that coverage free of charge. This applies to all seniors, at every income level.
Serious illness is hard enough without the fear of financial ruin.
And we will not increase the Medicare payroll tax. While we are working with Congress to modernize Medicare, we will begin a program I call an Immediate Helping Hand to help seniors who need help right now. This means that most seniors who depend on their Social Security check to live will have all or most of their prescription drug costs covered immediately. No more choosing between paying for heat and paying for medicine. No more choosing between food and pills.