Medicare cards currently use social security numbers as part of the Medicare ID. This puts the social security number at risk. You are supposed to "carry your card with you when you are away from home" (as per the back of the Medicare card). This puts people with Medicare at extreme risk of identity theft. If you lose your wallet, you are at risk. If you take out your card and someone snaps a picture of it with their cellphone, you are at risk.
Even if it costs a billion dollars, this should be fixed. A billion dollars represents less than 35 dollars per person who has Medicare. It would cost a lot more per person to remedy identity theft.
If you are over 50, or have a relative over 50, please sign the petition. This has to be fixed!