Bradley: Don't raise Social Security age

"I'm not proposing to raise the age for Medicare," Bradley said during a question-and-answer session with senior citizens. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Bradley, a former senator from New Jersey, said last week that raising the age for Social Security eligibility is worth discussing. He had voted in favor of a nonbinding resolution which expressed support for raising the eligibility age from 67 to 70.

Vice President Al Gore, the front runner in the race for the Democratic nomination, charged that Bradley showed lukewarm support for the retirement program.

But Bradley said yesterday that his work on the Senate Finance Committee demonstrated his commitment to Medicare and Social Security and ensured their stability until 2015.

"Those are the two most important programs that America has," he said.

Bradley outlined his plans for health care reforms and insurance subsidies as he spoke to about 75 residents and guests at a downtown apartment building for senior citizens.

Bradley wants to include prescription drug benefits in the Medicare program.

"I constantly see people who are choosing between eating and paying for drugs, or choosing between taking care of a child and paying for drugs," he said.

His proposal also includes a health care system that immediately insures children from the day they are born until they are 18 years old.

The coverage would be free for families with less than $33,000 in income, Bradley said. Children in families with up to $50,000 in income would have part of the cost subsidized, based on their income.

Under Bradley's plan, lower-income adults also could elect to join the federal employees' health care system. It would be paid for by the government for people who make less than $17,000, and the government would pick up part of the tab for those who make less than $33,000.

Gore has charged that Bradley's proposals to extend health insurance to all Americans would spend virtually all of the projected budget surpluses over the next decade, end the Medicaid program and do nothing to keep Medicare solvent.

Bradley said his programs could be fully funded by about half of the $1 trillion federal budget surplus expected over the next 10 years.

"Medicare and Social Security are solid. We're going to keep them going solid. We gave our word on that," Bradley said as he paced atop a shuffleboard court.

Some residents said after the hour-long event that they were impressed with Bradley's attention to Medicare and Social Security - issues they said affect their daily lives.

"How you have to get your medicine is important," said Della Lane, 77, who has Medicare but said she often has trouble paying for prescriptions. "That was particularly important from what Sen. Bradley said. He has my vote."

11-11-99