Medicaid cuts would hurt millions of seniors all over the U.S.

Republicans in Congress want to cut $880 billion from federal Medicaid over 10 years ($80 billion per year) – the equivalent of 3 million seniors and people with disabilities.

Medicaid is jointly financed by states and the federal government. So, these deep cuts could hurt millions of U.S. citizens who depend on Medicaid for healthcare.

The states could either opt to raise tax revenues to offset these cuts (around 6% per resident) or make their own cuts to other programs, such as education (around 19% of the education budget). However, none of the solutions are ideal.

Although there isn’t an official statement, many believe that these cuts are responding to the payment of the tax cuts for wealthy people that are part of the Republican budget legislation. The bill, passed in 2017, is about to expire and would decrease the federal tax revenue by $4.5 trillion from 2025 through 2034 if extended.

If the bill comes to pass and 10% of the Medicaid funding is taken away, it’s essential to review your loved one’s situation and take action before it’s too late.

Medicare is a possible alternative. It’s a Federal health insurance program for people over 65 and citizens with certain disabilities. Although also in danger, its expected cuts aren’t as severe.

It’s also recommended that you check the Health Insurance Marketplace app, which helps you find health coverage that fits your needs and budget. The software makes it easy to compare plans based on benefits, quality, price, and other features.

However, keep in mind that if your state runs its own Marketplace, you have to check your state’s website to enroll. You can find a comprehensive list of state-based Marketplaces on Healthcare.gov.

Additionally, there might be local nonprofit organizations around you that focus on helping seniors living in low-income households.

Medical alert systems might help seniors who can still live totally or partially independently. For an affordable price, they can count on help 24/7 – they just need to press a button. Features like fall detection and GPS tracking are useful extras that make the senior even more protected by automatically calling for help when a fall happens or providing the user’s whereabouts when they’re disoriented.

It’s worth mentioning that veterans qualify for a free medical alert system from the Veteran Agency.

Hopefully, the bill won’t come to pass, and these alternatives won’t be necessary. But it’s better to be safe than sorry.