A promise delayed until 2034
Hey, let’s talk about something that might hit close to home — your Medicare coverage.
Because of what’s being called President Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” a plan that was supposed to make Medicare easier to access has been delayed for almost a decade, until 2034.
This plan, finalized under the Biden administration in 2023, was designed to automatically enroll eligible older adults into state-run Medicaid programs that help cover Medicare’s out-of-pocket costs. In short, it would’ve made it easier for low-income seniors to get help without filling out piles of paperwork or facing confusing eligibility hurdles.
But now, that lifeline has been put on hold. According to the National Council on Aging, nearly 5.8 million low-income seniors are currently eligible for programs that could lower their medical costs—yet they’re not enrolled. This delay means millions will continue to go without the help they qualify for.
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As Frederic Riccardi, president of the Medicare Rights Center, told The New York Times, “These programs are meant to make it easier for people with very limited incomes to afford health care. This is a real setback.”
What this means for you
If you’re an older American living on a fixed income, this change could make life harder. The delay means that instead of the government automatically finding and enrolling people who qualify for help, you’ll need to navigate the system yourself.
That includes applying for programs like the Medicare Savings Program or Extra Help (which lowers prescription drug costs). And if you’ve ever tried to deal with the Medicare or Medicaid application process, you know it’s not simple — multiple forms, verification steps, and long waiting times can discourage even the most determined applicants.
The truth is, this move adds friction — and that’s often enough to keep people from getting the aid they need.
Rising Medicare costs add to the pain
Here’s where it gets even more stressful: the cost of Medicare is climbing. In 2025, the standard Medicare Part B premium will rise to $185 per month, up from $174.70 in 2024. Deductibles and co-payments are also going up.
Even before this hike, Medicare households were already under financial pressure. In 2022, the average Medicare household spent about $7,000 on health care — nearly twice what non-Medicare households spent, according to KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation).
KFF also found that out-of-pocket health costs took up 39% of the average person’s Social Security income in 2022. That means nearly half of a retiree’s monthly check can vanish just to stay healthy.
These increases will likely erase most of the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) retirees receive next year, making it even harder for many to keep up with essentials like rent, food, and medications.
The long-term burden on seniors
Health care is already one of the biggest costs in retirement — and it only grows with age. A 65-year-old today can expect to spend around $172,500 on health care over their lifetime, not including long-term care.
In 2020, the average per-person health care cost for adults 65 and older was over $22,000, according to federal data. For many retirees, one medical emergency could drain savings they’ve built over decades.
Those with lower or middle incomes are hit hardest. Even small premium increases can push people to skip doctor visits, delay medications, or forgo preventive care. Some may even return to work or go into debt just to cover medical bills.
