Democratic senators urge Biden to include health care in economic plan

A contingent of Democratic senators are urging President Biden to include a variety of health care proposals in the next phase of his economic recovery plan.

A letter signed by 17 senators and obtained by CNN asks Biden include proposals to lower the age for Medicare eligibility, expand Medicare benefits for hearing, dental and vision, cap out-of-pocket expenses and allow for the negotiation of lower drug prices under the program.

The letter is signed by a group of Democratic senators from wide ideological spectrums including Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.). 

“Medicare has been one of the most successful and popular federal programs in our nation’s history since it was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson in 1965. Now, 55 years later, the time is long overdue for us to expand and improve this program so that millions of older Americans can receive the health care they need, including eyeglasses, hearing aids and dental care,” the letter read, according to CNN.

The second phase of the economic recovery plan, set to be unveiled by Biden this week, also includes a proposal to increase taxes on the rich to pay for education and child care.

The Hill has reached out to Sanders, Warren, Stabnow and Cardin.