Healthcare reform

Here is an interesting take from a New York Times reader: 

To the Editor:

Paul Krugman reminds us again that Medicare as a single-payer system is simpler, broader and more cost-effective than any combination of commercial and government medical insurance can ever be (“The Big Kludge,” column, Oct. 28).

We can have a single-payer system by simply lowering Medicare’s eligibility age from 65 by one year each year. In 45 years we will have the best health care system in the world without causing a major upheaval.

JOHN LeBOURGEOIS
Chicago, Oct. 28, 2013

 I could get behind that. We just need to make sure to keep cost containment a priority as we go forward with this very well-intentioned expansion. There is nothing magical about the number sixty-five. Let's get on with it!