By Patrick Crowley
The Cincinnati Enquirer

FORT MITCHELL - Congressional candidate Nick Clooney is getting behind a move that would allow Americans to buy into Medicare at age 55.

Health benefits under the federally sponsored Medicare program now are available when people turn 65. But a bill filed in Congress by two Democrats - Sherrod Brown of Ohio and California's Pete Stark - would allow people to purchase Medicare benefits at age 55.

The proposal's costs have not yet been fully calculated by the Congressional budget office, but Clooney said that from what he understands participants would be able to buy Medicare benefits for $315 to $350 a month.

"I have COBRA (health insurance), and it costs me about $800 a month," Clooney, an Augusta Democrat, said Monday. "There are a lot of people who have been downsized from a job and lost benefits, or simply can't afford health insurance, who are 55 but not yet eligible for Medicare. This initiative helps those people."

A spokesman for Geoff Davis, the Boone County Republican running against Clooney in this year's 4th Congressional District race, said there isn't enough known about the bill to be already supporting it.

"Let's see some details," said Justin Brasell, Davis' campaign manager. "What would this cost the federal government? We don't know that yet. It looks like (Clooney) is just talking off the cuff."

Clooney said participants will have to "pay as they go" because Medicare can't afford new participants without them buying their coverage.

"But still, this would be more affordable for a lot of vulnerable people ... and it could help protect our older workers," he said.

The bill also includes a provision that would allow participants to receive a refundable tax credit equal to 75 percent of the premium. Clooney has not yet taken a position on the tax credit.

Florence registered nurse Pat Buckley, 59, said she wouldn't need to buy into Medicare early. But working at St. Elizabeth Medical Center South in Edgewood, she knows of a lot of patients who could benefit from such a program.

"We see a lot of people who, for some reason, have lost their health insurance but don't yet qualify for Medicare or other programs," Buckley said. "Some are out of work, some just can't afford it. It does sound like a good idea for people like that to at least consider and to have that option."

Brasell invited Clooney to go on local cable television "as soon as possible" and debate health care issues with Davis.

Clooney campaign manager B.J. Neidhardt said it's too early for debates, "but we look forward to talking about these issues in the future."

On other health care topics, Clooney said he also wants to push for a change in Medicare prescription drug benefits that could lower drug prices.

Under the Medicare prescription drug benefit that was touted by the Bush administration and recently passed by Congress, the federal government cannot use the bargaining power of the program's 40 million participants to negotiate lower drug prices with pharmaceutical companies, Clooney said.

"There is clearly a lack of ability to negotiate with drug companies," Clooney said. "I would like to see that changed. The Veterans Administration has been doing it for generations."

E-mail pcrowley@enquirer.com