AARP Opposes Block Grants
According to an AARP news report, 1 in 5 seniors in the U.S receiving some level of Medicaid assistance to pay for long-term health care services. Block Grants to fund Medicaid have been proposed by the Trump Administration to save the government money. As baby boomers age there is a greater need for the federal government to fund Medicaid long-term care services. The AARP opposes the Block Grant system.
Trump V Biden Medicare and Medicaid – Who Wins?
So far the Trump Administration has made it clear, cuts to Medicaid must be made. In contrast is former Vice President, Joe Biden who was instrumental in drafting and passing the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The Trump Administration is calling for an end to the ACA. Former Vice President Joe Biden is calling for its expansion. He has been a long time advocate for expansion of federally funded programs designed to help seniors and expand home-community based service programs offered under Medicare and Medicaid.
Trump Cuts to Medicare and Medicaid
In February the Trump Administration proposed 2021 budget calls for about $920 billion in cuts to the Medicaid program over 10 years, The Hill reported. In addition, post-acute care and hospice services could also see severe reductions in Medicare funding. The proposed budget also calls for a reduction in post-acute care and hospice Medicare service spending by more than $100 billion over the next 10 years. According to the Trump Administration, the budget cuts are designed to reduce “excessive spending and prevention of fraud and abuse”. The Trump Administration did not opine on the direct correlation between a proposed “budget cut” in the federal funding of Medicare and how those cuts will reduce fraud and abuse.
Medicaid is different from Medicare. Medicaid offers programs to pay for extended long-term care services for low-income and disabled individuals. Medicare has limited programs and services relate to on-going long-term care health related services.
Your Vote in November Matters – VOTE!
You have 2 candidates for President. Donald Trump, who calls for an end to the Affordable Care Act and Joe Biden who advocates for enhanced Affordable Care Act coverage and expansion of long-term care Medicare and Medicaid services.
Who we vote for and elect has a direct correlation on what laws are passed over the coming years.
The AARP encourages seniors to know the candidates and their position and philosophy as it relates to Medicare and Medicaid funding and who is endorsing expansion of long-term care Medicaid programs directed specifically at seniors such as nursing home benefits and Medicaid home-based service programs.
Your VOTE in the 2020 Presidential Election is important. Be an educated voter, and VOTE in November.