Saving Medicare: premium supports.

Medicare, the universal health care program for the elderly and the disabled, is pending bankruptcy by the year 2008. Efforts to ensure its fiscal solvency are underway. The Bipartisan Commission on the Future of Medicare formed by the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 recently debated a bold new idea to transform this important program. There is some concern that this concept will not solve the problem without new funding. In addition, there are those who believe this is the time to correct one of Medicare's major flaws--the lack of a prescription benefit. Congressional action over the next several months will be critical to saving this program for future seniors.