Medicare Changes: A new law backed by House Republicans might change how Medicare works for millions of Americans. The law is called the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” and even though it mainly talks about taxes, it also includes big changes to healthcare programs like Medicare and Medicaid. This bill already passed in the U.S House of Representatives, but it’s now causing a lot of concern, especially for senior citizens and people with low incomes.
Groups that speak up for older adults and healthcare rights are not happy about the bill. They say this law could remove important protections that many people need. They worry it might make it harder for people to get the care they need and also make it more expensive for them.
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One big issue in this bill is how it could affect the money the government spends. Experts say that the bill could add around $2.3 trillion to the country’s debt in the next ten years. And because of a rule called PAYGO, this would mean automatic cuts in government spending.
That includes Medicare, which might lose 4 percent of its funding starting in 2026. If that happens, doctors and hospitals might get less money for treating Medicare patients. This could lead to longer wait times, fewer services, and even higher costs for people who use Medicare.
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The bill also talks about changing who can get Medicare. Right now, some older immigrants who are legal residents and paid taxes can get Medicare after living in the U.S. for some time. But if this new bill becomes law, many of these people might not be allowed to get Medicare anymore. That could leave many seniors without insurance. They might end up using expensive emergency rooms or try to buy private insurance, which often costs too much.
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Another part of the bill removes helpful rules that made it easier for low-income people to sign up for programs like Medicare Savings Programs or other health help connected to Medicaid. These rules helped people pay for things like monthly premiums, co-pays, and deductibles. Without these simple rules, seniors might have to fill out more forms and go through harder steps to get the help they need.
