Gop Senators Want Hike In Medicare Eligibility Age

Senate Republicans said Friday that in their effort to balance the federal budget they would try to increase the age of eligibility for Medicare and start charging elderly people $5 for each visit by a home health-care agency.

The proposals were advanced by Sen. William Roth Jr., R-Del.

Roth, chairman of the Finance Committee, also set forth the Senate Republicans’ proposals on welfare and Medicaid. The panel will vote on the proposals next week.

The Senate proposals resemble legislation approved this week by House committees. But the House bill would not change the age of eligibility for Medicare, now 65.

By contrast, Senate Republicans would gradually increase the age to 67. The increase would occur from 2003 to 2027.