The right can't say too much against Medicare because so many seniors and their families are satisfied with it. (Republicans are gnashing their teeth now because their long-range goal was to weaken and eliminate Medicare). Lowering the age to 55 will change the mindset that Medicare is only for seniors. Once we wrap our heads around that concept, it will seem natural to lower the age even further. Since the public option has been pretty well gutted, this new plan may be the best tactic--to strike out in an entirely different direction and pass it quickly before the right-wingers know what hit them.