Court says Medicare beneficiaries can't opt out if they receive Social Security

Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey is among the five senior citizens who sued to stop their automatic eligibility for Medicare.

The Associated Press/Washington Post: Appeals Court Rules That Seniors Receiving Social Security Can't Reject Medicare Eligibility
A federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that seniors who receive Social Security cannot reject their legal right to Medicare benefits, in a rare case of Americans suing to get out of a government entitlement. Former House Majority Leader Dick Armey is among the five senior citizens who sued to stop their automatic eligibility for Medicare. But the appeals court ruled in a split decision that the law gives them no way to opt out of their eligibility if they want to keep their Social Security benefits (2/7).

The Hill: Court Says Medicare Beneficiaries Are Stuck With Government Program
Americans who are eligible for Medicare benefits can't give them up, a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday. The unusual case was brought by five people who would prefer not to be on Medicare because their private insurer limits hospital coverage for customers who are entitled to the government health program. The plaintiffs, who include former House Majority Leader Dick Armey (R-Texas), sued to stop their automatic enrollment into Medicare (Pecquet, 2/7).