Medicare is the nation's health care program for seniors that every American expects to be there for them when they retire. Indeed, there are millions of older Americans today who depend upon Medicare for their very survival. But the NCSC is deeply concerned about the legislative attacks on Medicare that would fundamentally change the system.

With the collapse of the National Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare, the program now takes center stage on the national policy debate. Chaired by Sen. John Breaux and Rep. Bill Thomas, a majority of the Commission supported turning Medicare into a voucher program. The result would mean raising the eligibility age, means testing and increasing premiums which would leave millions of older Americans with higher health care costs and less coverage.

In effect, a majority of the Commission members tried to destroy one of the nation's most vital social insurance programs under which all seniors receive universal health care coverage. They failed to consider a better alternative advocated by President Clinton during his State of the Union message.

The President recommended dedicating 15 percent of the projected $4.4 trillion budget surplus toward securing Medicare for the Baby Boom generation. If we followed the President's advice, and did just this alone, Medicare solvency would be substantially extended. In fact, we estimate that Medicare would be more solvent than it has ever been in the last 20 years.

Buy why should we be surprised that many commission members ignored this alternative? After all, the fate of the Commission was sealed more than a year ago when then-House Speaker Newt Gingrich forced the Republican members of the commission to sign a pledge that they would not even consider a revenue increase to strengthen Medicare.

By rejecting President Clinton's alternative, a majority of the commission members tried to dismantle Medicare again this year by supporting the Breaux-Thomas voucher plan. For that reason, the National Council of Senior Citizens gives the National Bipartisan Commission for the Future of Medicare a failing grade. The commission failed to hold adequate and open hearings nationwide and failed to talk to older Americans about their concerns and Medicare needs.

In fact, it met in secret so often that The Washington Post threatened to file suit for violation of sunshine laws barring government dealings behind closed doors. In addition, the majority of the commission made long-term projections based on bogus numbers. One commission member even summed up the projections as being little more than an "exercise in comparative fantasy" in which numbers were manipulated to get the desired conclusions.

Unfortunately, the Breaux-Thomas Medicare voucher proposal that was supported by a majority of the commission would not appreciably extend the solvency of Medicare. This is a most important point. The Breaux-Thomas voucher plan absolutely fails to extend the Medicare solvency date by more than a few years. It would, however, create massive coverage gaps and confusion, while setting in motion a process by which quality care for the elderly, the poor and the sick could begin to be denied or reduced.

Part of the rules in setting up the commission required that a super majority of the members had to approve a proposal before it would be recommended by Congress. Although the Commission failed to give a formal report, the battle is far from over. In fact, it is just beginning. Senator Breaux and Representative Thomas have already announced that they will introduce bills this year that will include their voucher scheme.

The real battle will be on the floor of the House and Senate later this year. But no Medicare deal can be struck inside the Beltway without an honest dialogue with the American people and consultation with seniors and their families. The NCSC is committed to working with activists and our friends in Congress to protect and defend Medicare.

We have a special and dedicated interest in Medicare. The National Council of Senior Citizens was founded in 1961 for the purpose of passing the Medicare program. When Medicare was adopted, our nation took a great step forward in easing the burden of health care on older Americans. Medicare guarantees them quality care when they are sick, scared and most vulnerable.

Today, Medicare is under assault as never before and concerned Americans must make their voices heard. We have the money to save Medicare by simply shifting part of the trillion-dollar surplus to it as President Clinton has suggested. There is a better way and we demand that Congress accept the President's alternative and restore the faith of America and Medicare.

Reprinted from AIL Labor Agenda April 1999.