How Cuts Impact Other Benefits
The advocacy group Justice and Aging recently produced the fact sheet found below showing how cuts to the Medicaid program has potential impacts to people receiving Medicare benefits.
As presented below, without Medicaid, 12 million people on Medicare struggle getting the care they need, putting their health at risk. Nearly 30% of Medicaid funding directly supports Medicare beneficiaries, making any cuts to Medicaid effectively cuts to Medicare.
Key Points:
- Affordability: Medicaid helps pay for Medicare premiums, co-pays, and deductibles, making healthcare cheaper for low-income seniors and people with disabilities.
- Critical Support: Medicaid provides important services that Medicare doesn’t cover, like home care, long-term nursing home care, transportation, medical equipment, and dental, vision, and hearing care.
- Systemic Impact: Medicaid makes Medicare stronger by preventing hospital stays and poor health, supporting access to care, and giving money to healthcare providers, especially in rural areas.
Cutting Medicaid would weaken Medicare and harm the health of millions. It’s important to protect and strengthen Medicaid so all Medicare enrollees have access to the care they need.
Source: Justice And Aging