Capitol at Dusk
Health Insurance, Health Policy, Medicaid, Medicare, Politics

‘MAGA’ Backers Like Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ — Until They Learn of Health Consequences

Nearly two-thirds of adults oppose President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” approved in May by the House of Representatives, according to a new poll.

And even Trump’s most ardent supporters like the legislation a lot less when they learn how it would cut federal spending on health programs, the poll shows.

Illustration of a white-haired older doctor sitting across the desk from an older couple in the doctor's office.
Aging, Health Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Seniors

Why do cuts to Medicaid matter for Americans over 65? Two experts on aging explain why lives are at stakeWhy do cuts to Medicaid matter for Americans over 65?

People who lost their Medicaid coverage had more chronic conditions and could perform fewer activities of daily living, such as bathing and getting dressed, without any assistance as compared with those who still had Medicaid coverage. In addition, they were twice as likely to experience depression and be in fair or poor health. As people’s health worsened, they also went to the hospital more often and stayed there longer. They also used outpatient surgery services more frequently.

new medicare card design.imgcache.reve854449338a20d219d7dcda5f1cbed0c
Health Insurance, Medicare

Older Americans Say They Feel Trapped in Medicare Advantage Plans.

Medicare pays private insurers a fixed amount per Medicare Advantage enrollee and in many cases also pays out bonuses, which the insurers can use to provide supplemental benefits. Those extra benefits work as an incentive to get people to join the plan but that the plans then restrict the access to so many services and coverage for the bigger stuff.”

Medicare
Health Insurance, Medicare

Medicare enrollment begins October 15

Did you know you have choices in your Medicare prescription drug and health coverage? Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7) is your chance to think about what matters most to you. Plans can change from year to year, and your health needs may change, too. So it’s important to know your options.

Farm in Maine in Autumn. Woods with fall colors.
Health Costs, Health Insurance, Medicaid, Medicare, Rural Health

‘Grotesque Catch-22’ – Sickest Rural Adults Are the Least Likely to Be Able to Pay for Healthcare

Research on cost barriers to health care found that rural adults were more likely than urban adults to report being unable to pay their medical bills or have problems paying their medical bills. Rural adults also were more likely to use medications in ways not prescribed (like taking pills every other day or only filling prescriptions every other month) to save money on medication.