Letter: Plan carefully on Medicare vouchers
Republican vice presidential candidate, Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., speaks during a campaign event at East Carolina University in Greenville, N.C. (Sept. 3, 2012) Credit: AP
One suggestion for the reform of Medicare is to preserve it for the elderly and near-elderly, and to switch to a voucher system for younger people ["GOP: Medicare 'tricky,' " News, Aug. 29].
This plan appears to offer a sound compromise, but it has weaknesses. As more and more people reach Medicare age with the voucher system, the total pool of money for Medicare could be reduced if they opt instead to take their vouchers and buy private insurance. That could severely limit the viability of Medicare.
Another danger is that the composition of Medicare eventually might be primarily citizens who are in greater need of medical treatment. This could reduce its monetary reserve even further.
Norman Shainmark, Wantagh
