Dems release their $3.5 trillion budget, with lots of health care

Democrats said the budget will provide funding for a slew of big health care moves, from adding Medicare benefits to lowering drug prices.

One of the top priorities of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and other progressives is set to be included: adding dental, hearing and vision benefits to Medicare.

However, the final package is not expected to include another progressive priority, lowering the Medicare eligibility age to 60, which is more politically fraught and opens up debate about Medicare for All.

Democrats said the reconciliation package will include measures to have the federal government step in and provide health coverage in the 12 GOP-led states that have declined to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, though the exact mechanism for doing so remains to be seen.

The measure is also expected to extend enhanced ObamaCare subsidies that help lower people’s premiums, which were provided for two years in the American Rescue Plan earlier this year.

The package will fund care for elderly people at home, known as “home and community-based services,” and create a paid family and medical leave benefit, Democrats said in a list of top-line items for the fiscal 2022 plan.

Helping pay for it all is “hundreds of billions” of dollars in savings from lowering prescription drug costs, Democrats also said. The exact amount of savings is not yet clear, as Senate Democrats look to craft a measure that can satisfy both moderates and progressives.