Currently, millions of Americans aged 55-64 pay exhorbidant monthly insurance premiums to for-profit corporations for their medical care. These companies continue to hike rates and increase deductibles and co-payments. Rate increases over 25% per year are not uncommon.
Lowering the eligibility age for Medicare provides two benefits: 1) the influx of cash would improve the solvency of Medicare, as the 55-64 age group typically needs less medical care than those over 65. Those requesting an "early buy-in" to Medicare could pay higher premium than currenly paid by those over 65 and still pay less than what they're paying to an insurance carrier today. 2) The annual savings for each family would be considerable -- that money will go back into the economy and spent elsewhere.