1.   It now also includes politically daring proposals to increase premiums for the very highest income beneficiaries and raise the Medicare eligibility age.

2.   Another proposed reform would raise the eligibility age for full benefits.

3.   Administration officials have said that charging wealthy senior citizens higher medical out-of-pocket costs and raising the eligibility age should not be a part of the balanced-budget legislation.

4.   But he said Bush had not said where he stood on the eligibility age, and did not believe that the Breaux plan would lead to premium increases.

5.   But he said Bush had not said where he stood on the eligibility age, and did not believe the plan would lead to premium increases.

6.   But the idea of allowing more people to purchase Medicare coverage will be seriously considered this year as Congress weighs proposals to increase the eligibility age and redesign Medicare.

7.   Citing increases in life expectancy, most of the proposals for reforming Social Security have recommended raising the eligibility age for recipients.

8.   Clinton, the American Association of Retired Persons and business groups like the Chamber of Commerce of the United States also oppose an increase in the Medicare eligibility age.

9.   Congress considered increasing the eligibility age for Medicare and imposing still higher premiums on higher-income beneficiaries.

10.   Frist added that the eligibility age for Medicare should be raised and wealthy senior citizens should pay a higher premium for coverage.