Hiking Medicare costs may be gaining political footing

( Mandel Ngan /AFP / Getty Images )

As the federal deficit debate heats up, new life has been pumped into controversial proposals for requiring Americans on Medicare to pay more for their healthcare, raising the possibility that seniors' medical bills could jump hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If such proposals are enacted, it could mean higher co-pays, higher deductibles or higher premiums for many seniors. Many in Washington think that the ideas have gained enough traction that they will resurface, if not now, then after the 2012 election.