Trump Announces One-Time $90 Medicare Payment for More Than 20 Million Seniors
Washington, The Gulf Observer: US President Donald Trump has announced that the federal government will provide a one-time payment of $90 to more than 20 million Americans enrolled in Medicare to help offset the cost of their monthly medical insurance premiums.
Trump said the payments would be financed through the Medicare Improvement Fund, which he said received $2 billion from Congress to support improvements to the Medicare fee-for-service programme.
According to the White House, most eligible recipients will receive the $90 payment through direct deposit in early October, while those without direct-deposit arrangements will receive a cheque at the mailing address registered with Medicare.
The payment is intended to help reduce the financial burden associated with Medicare Part B premiums. Eligibility details released by the administration indicate that most Medicare Part B enrollees qualify, while certain beneficiaries receiving premium assistance through Medicaid or paying income-related premium adjustments are excluded.
The announcement comes weeks before the November 3 midterm elections and follows several other financial proposals and payments announced by the Trump administration, including $500 rebates for certain Affordable Care Act beneficiaries.
Trump has also proposed a $5,000 payment to adult US citizens if Republicans retain control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections. That proposal would require congressional approval.
The Medicare Improvement Fund was established by Congress in 2008 to provide flexible funding for improvements to Medicare operations and payments to healthcare providers. The administration’s decision to use the fund for direct payments has drawn attention from lawmakers and healthcare policy experts regarding its legal and budgetary implications.
The latest initiative comes as the administration continues to focus on healthcare affordability and support for older Americans ahead of the upcoming midterm elections.
