My experience with Medicare seems to be contrary to what is being implied by some of these posts. The cost to the Government and taxpayer's is hidden by the low premiums that the Medicare eligible person pays. One trip to the hospital without coverage would bankrupt the average person. Only those paying for health insurance before Medicare are paying a premium based on the reality of the costs of medical treatment. If Medicare was eliminated premiums would rise to match the reality of the market and the Government would save billions by not paying into the system. Of course your premiums would rise. That would be the cost of not relying on Uncle Sam to subsidize the health insurance industry.