How to fix Medicare? Ask the public

Washington is full of ideas to overhaul Medicare. Some would increase the program's eligibility age, others would charge higher-income beneficiaries more for their coverage. There's movement to link payment to the quality — rather than the quantity — of care delivered. Marge Ginsburg decided to ask ordinary Americans how they would change the federal entitlement program. Seventy-seven percent of participants in her "MedCHAT" group sessions said Medicare should cover at least one year of care in a nursing home, in supportive housing or at a person's home. Eight-five percent wanted "modest coverage" of dental, vision and hearing services. To help Medicare last another half-century — it turns 50 next year — 85 percent were willing to reduce program spending on current and future beneficiaries.