If you value your Medicare and Social Security benefits as much as the vast majority of Americans, you should know that last week President Trump said that he plans to slash them. Aaron Ruper reports for Vox News that during a town hall meeting, Trump said that he will cut Medicare and Social Security in order to reduce the national debt. Trump’s tax cuts for the wealthy and corporations has led to the largest national debt in history.
Specifically, Trump said that cutting Medicare and Social Security would be part of his agenda, if reelected. He agreed with a reporter that he would need to cut these programs to address the national debt. Trump also promised not to cut these critical programs when he campaigned for president. So, his administration is now trying to walk back his recent statement.
To be sure, the Republican Party has been working hard to cut Medicare and Social Security however it can. And, it has succeeded at underfunding the Social Security Administration, making it harder for people to secure benefits, particularly people applying for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI). But, Americans overwhelmingly support these programs and the vast majority want to expand them or keep them as they are.
Now, Trump is again saying that he will “protect your Social Security and Medicare, just as I have for the past 3 years.” He is denying that he said he plans to cut them, even though he is on video saying he plans to cut them in his second term. In fact, his proposed 2021 budget includes cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
As the Wall Street Journal reported: “The White House proposes to cut spending by $4.4 trillion over a decade. Of that, it targets $2 trillion in savings from mandatory spending programs, including $130 billion from changes to Medicare prescription-drug pricing, $292 billion from safety-net cuts—such as work requirements for Medicaid and food stamps—and $70 billion from tightening eligibility access to disability benefits.”
Fortunately, House Democrats have prevented Trump’s proposed cuts to Medicare and Social Security from becoming law. So long as the Democrats control the House, they will continue to prevent Trump’s proposed cuts from becoming law. There is a lot riding on the outcome of the 2020 election.
Here’s more from Just Care:
- President Trump’s 2021 proposed budget would most hurt vulnerable older adults
- Trump Executive Order will drive up people’s Medicare costs
- People with Medicare still spend an average of $5,500 on health care
- Many people find themselves locked into their Medicare Advantage plans
- Four things to know if your income is low and you have Medicare
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