How does a Medicare number not attached to the Social Security number reduce abuse? It might save the SSN from being stolen, but without the connection to a person’s other records it’s tough to understand how verification can be done.
I’m sure the massive database that links your Medicare account number to your SS Number is 100% secure and can never be hacked. I have total faith in my government to do things right and to promptly attend to any problems. Identity theft arose as a problem in the mid 90s. See how fast government responded to the modern plague of identity theft? Those guys are really on top of things, I tell you.