Medicare waiting period draws flack

With President-elect Barack Obama promising to guarantee healthcare coverage for all, advocates for the disabled are hoping that repeal of the Medicare two-year waiting period is finally at hand. In 1972, Medicare was expanded to cover not only seniors but the disabled. They created a waiting period to minimize costs and discourage people from gaming the system. But as drugs and treatments for serious illnesses have improved, the cost of closing the Medicare gap has ballooned. Estimates range up to $12 billion a year.