5 ways the Trump budget will affect seniors

The Trump administration has released its proposed 2021 budget, which, if passed, would break many of the promises the president made on the campaign trail. President Trump pledged not to cut Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid, but his budget will result in cuts to programs that millions of seniors rely on and make it harder for them to afford food, housing and healthcare.

Here are five things in the Trump budget that will affect seniors:

1. The budget will reduce Medicare spending.

Proposals in this budget include requiring patients and doctors to get pre-authorization from Medicare before performing certain procedures. It also will cut reimbursement rates for health providers, which would reduce payment to doctors and healthcare facilities for care. By cutting reimbursement rates, seniors could lose access to doctors they want to see.

2. The budget will cut funding for disability programs.

According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Americans between the ages of 60 and 66 are more likely to be on Social Security Disability Insurance rolls than those ages 30–34. Trump’s budget includes a proposal to cut spending for SSDI and Supplemental Security Income by $70 million over 10 years. A portion of that reduction would come from cutting the amount for retroactive benefits once someone is found to be disabled.

3. The budget will cut SNAP benefits, which will increase food insecurity for low-income seniors.

The budget takes aim at the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Households with seniors currently get $121 a month in SNAP benefits to help pay for groceries. The budget will cut nearly 30 percent from the program over the next decade. It will also raise the age for eligibility from 60 to 65, so people ages 60–64 would no longer qualify for certain benefits.

4. The budget will eliminate necessary social and community services for seniors.

Currently, the federal government provides states with the Social Services Block Grant to help them meet the needs of their most vulnerable populations. By eliminating this grant, the budget will cause communities to lose programs that help seniors stay in their homes, provide Meals on Wheels and prevent elder abuse.

5. The budget will cut Medicaid.

Nearly 7 million seniors rely on Medicaid to help pay for nursing home care, long-term care services and other support not covered by Medicare. The president’s budget will cut Medicaid by eliminating funding for states that expanded coverage under the Affordable Care Act. By slashing the funds to states, millions of adults ages 50–64 who gained coverage through the expansion will lose it. In some cases, adult Medicaid recipients who don’t meet proposed work requirements could also lose coverage.

“This budget proposal tells the American people everything they need to know about President Trump’s priorities, because the things that matter most to Americans — like providing their families a path to a better life, economic security and a voice in democracy — are on the chopping block,” says AFT President Randi Weingarten.