Ohio鈥檚 Republican US Sen Rob Portman (R-Ohio) says he鈥檚 frustrated with majority Democrats for not passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill that would infuse $550 billion dollars into existing roads and bridges as well as allow new investments in things like broadband.
鈥淚t's a great bill. It will fix our crumbling infrastructure. It strengthens our economy," Portman says.
Leaders in Congress are tying that proposal to a larger $3.5-trillion-dollar plan that doesn鈥檛 have bipartisan support.
That package includes investments that have long been on Democrats鈥� wish lists鈥�. such as expanding Medicare to pay for eyeglasses, hearing aids, or dental care. Even though Ohio鈥檚 population is older than many states, Senator Rob Portman says he鈥檚 against expanding Medicare because the program鈥檚 trust fund is set to run out in three years.
鈥淭o add more to Medicare at this point rather than fixing the problems that we have and ensuring seniors in Ohio continue to get strong Medicare coverage, I think is a mistake.鈥�
Portman suggests older Ohioans who want those services can get them through Medicare Advantage 鈥� a supplemental program that Democrats say many seniors find is too expensive on their limited incomes. The projects enrollment in Medicare Advantage in 2022 will reach 29.5 million people compared to 26.9 million enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan in 2021. The average premium for Medicare Advantage plans will be lower in 2022 at $19 per month, compared to $21.22 in 2021. And the says nearly two-thirds of Medicare Advantage enrollees pay no supplemental premium (other than the Part B premium) in 2021.
Ohio鈥檚 Democratic Senator, Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), is on record as supporting this expansion. He also supports lowering the eligibility age for Medicare to 55 but that is not part of the $3.5-trillion-dollar package. While Brown supports both bills under consideration,
The smaller infrastructure bill that both Brown and Portman support is paid for with unspent emergency relief funds, corporate user fees, and revenue growth. The larger bill relies on tax increases levied on businesses and wealthier Americans.
