Trump’s ‘Big Bill’ has made it harder for 5.8 million Americans to access Medicare — how the new law could impact you

Core Insights - The Biden-era plan to expand access to Medicare assistance has been delayed to 2034 due to President Trump's legislation, impacting enrollment in state-run Medicaid programs for older Americans [1][2] - Nearly 5.8 million low-income older adults are eligible for Medicare cost assistance programs but remain unenrolled, which could significantly affect their access to necessary healthcare [2][3] - The rising costs of Medicare, including an increase in the standard Part B premium to $185 in 2025 from $174.70 in 2024, are placing additional financial strain on older Americans [4][5] Group 1 - The Biden administration's plan aimed to automate the application process for Medicare's Part D Low-Income Subsidy and facilitate automatic enrollment for eligible beneficiaries [1][2] - The delay in the plan is seen as a setback, increasing the bureaucratic burden on eligible individuals to find existing federal assistance [3] - The financial strain on Medicare households is significant, with an average expenditure of approximately $7,000 on healthcare in 2022, nearly double that of non-Medicare households [4][5] Group 2 - Many older Americans are delaying or forgoing medical care due to the inability to afford prescriptions, doctor visits, or dental work, exacerbated by rising costs of essential goods [4] - Inflation has diminished the purchasing power of retirees on fixed incomes over the past five years, further complicating their financial situations [4]