11.   He also opposed the Medicare means test and the increase in the eligibility age when they were approved by the Senate last month.

12.   He cited an increase in the eligibility age as an example of the issues lawmakers have ducked.

13.   He said a commission will need to consider the effect of raising the eligibility age on retiree health benefits.

14.   In fact, several had to look up the most basic information, such as the eligibility age.

15.   It did not help that the commission was also looking at such controversial ideas as raising the eligibility age for Medicare.

16.   It would reduce overall costs by gradually increasing the eligibility age for Medicare and charging higher premiums for those with higher incomes.

17.   Politicians have long assumed that any significant increase in Medicare premiums or the eligibility age would be politically unacceptable to millions of older voters.

18.   Raising the eligibility age would buck that trend.

19.   President Bill Clinton also opposes raising the Medicare eligibility age as part of the balanced-budget legislation.

20.   Rep. John Kasich, R-Ohio, chairman of the House Budget Committee, said Congress would eventually need to consider increases in the eligibility age for Medicare.