Undoubtedly everyone is aware of the turmoil currently surrounding efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act and to alter other aspects of our health care system.  Seniors and those approaching the Medicare sign-up age may feel they are protected from most of this maelstrom. In fact, Speaker Paul Ryan, who has proposed a new “Medicare premium support ” program to replace traditional Medicare, has clearly stated that his new program would have no affect on those now enrolled in Medicare or anyone currently 55 and over who will someday soon enroll in Medicare. That may be re-assuring to those of us who’ve already reached this milestone- but in fact, it may be just one more “alternative fact.” A recent blog posting on the website of Health Affairs, the leading health policy, peer-reviewed journal, puts that statement to the test. The conclusion?  Perhaps not surprisingly, current and near future Medicare recipients would in fact experience higher premiums and costs, as younger enrollees are cut off from the traditional Medicare pool, leaving an older, sicker population for traditional Medicare to cover.  As well, premiums for Medigap policies would likely increase. It’s a complex argument, but as we all know, health care is complicated. Read the analysis from Health Affairs Here.