Problem solved.
I sense your post was written with tongue-half-in-cheek, but in reality, this is how it _will_ be done, when the issues are finally addressed.
By then, it will be too late for ANYthing else to work. There will be no other choices.
The "fix" for Social Security will eventually be means-testing (along with reduced benefits and higher taxes).
Similarly, the fix for Medicare will be means-testing and care-rationing, the latter patterned after the "Oregon System" of triage.
- John
Medicare B is already means tested in terms of the premium pay. It is a two tier system with those making less than $80,000 a year [$160K for couples) paying one premium and those making more another. This is the start of means testing. I might add that Medicare B is a line item on the federal budget and its premiums are actually tied to costs, so that the premiums are automatically increased unlike Part A, which is heavily subsidized out of general revenues.