The real health implications of Medicaid Cuts for seniors
For people aged 65 and older, Medicaid could provide significant health care – and the absence of coverage makes people sick
Medicaid provides health insurance coverage to more than 82 million Americans.
The following essay is printed with permission from 
The conversationan online publication covering the latest research.
The Republicans desired in Congress To cut about $ 880 billion to expend Federal Health Care.
One of their Target targets are Medicaid. That government program contains 82 million Americans with Health Insurance. Most people enrolling in the program are low income, there are shortcomings, or both.
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Medicaid, jointly funded by the federal government and the state, so is the Greatest US fundWith long-term care services, if they are given to the patient’s house, another location where they spend about their day or a nursing house. That is why it is important for older adults and those with disabilities. All states should meet at Basic federal instructionsfor Medicaid member. but 41 states chooseTo take advantage of the cheap provision of ACT care expanding eligible to cover many people under the program.
we Gerontology researchersthat study health and health in life in late life. We will analyze what potential impacts can do with Medicaid cuts.
While the debate is how to reduce the budget in dollars and sentiments, we believe the cutting of the federal expenditure of Medicaid spilled Americans by reducing their access to care. In our view, it is likely that any storage of short terms can be smaller than increasing health care costs formally, the states and patients – including many Americans 65 and older.
Weak track record
Cautiously in backlash from their constituents, have Republicans agreed to a strategy that is most Cut medicaid spending in a roundabout way.
Previous GOP efforts in some states, such as Imposing job requirements For some people who get Medicaid benefits, there is no great decrease in costs. That is mostly because there is Pretty people enrolled in the Medicaid program Who is physically available at work and is no longer at workers. By past Efforts to reduce fraud, waste and abuse brings to significant storage.
According to widespread media reports, Republicans think changes to cut the amount of money the The state of the federal state government FOR What did they spend on Medicaid.
On May 2025, not ampartisan Approximate Congress Budget Office That 8.6 million Americans lose their health insurance coverage when the GOP proposal can be law.
In history, States face budget cuts By reducing their payments to health care providers, limiting digging or preventing benefits. These reduces all the most affected community-based services based on community many disabled and elderly dependent adults.
About 3 of 4 of people with Medicaid coverage Who will receive long-term care program to get that care at home, in their communities or both, instead of living in a nursing house. States can save an estimate 26 cents for every dollar Spent on services provided outside nursing homes.
The absence of coverage can damage for your health
We recently analyze data from a national representative study approximately 6,000 people with Medicaid coverage but It was lost when they were aged 65 Because their income exceeds 100% of federal poverty level. In 2025, that cutoff is about $ 15,560 for a person and $ 21,150 for a couple.
Medicaid income qualification generally falls from 138% to 100% At the federal poverty level at the age of 65 once Medicare becomes a person’s health.
People who participate in the study have lost their CED medicaid coverage of 65 among 1998 and 2020. Our team keeps people who continue to enroll in medicaids after their 65th birthday.
WHAT we found both shocked and disturbed.
Fewer activities of daily living
On top of the decade after milestone, people who lost their CED Medicaid Coverage have many counselors and can be smaller Activities of daily livingLike a bath and wear, without help compared to those with medicaid covers. In addition, they will experience depression twice and Go to good fire or poor.
As people get worse, they often go to the hospital and stay there. Them too used outpatient surgical services of frequency.
These services are more expensive for health care system. Depending on the service, it can also be cost for patients. Unlike the comprehensive coverage of Medicaid, the Medicare program fully covers Inpatient Inpatient Inpatient Inpatient Inpatial, Care Care, Care of Care, Some Short Housekeeping, Vaccines Visits, Vaccines and Some Basic Care. More than that, Medicare requires payment of premiums to help with unknown services that can also include dedaysible and copays.
This arrangement can lead to Important External Bocket Costs that makes health care well for elderly income old adults to cope unless they have Medicare and Medicaid coverage coverage.
We also know that older medicaid ranges are less likely to see their primary care doctor for regular caring care, despite medicare enrollment. This explains the part of why they often go to the hospital, most likely to avoid habitual health care that can be used at Medicare-covered costs.
In short, we know that exiting the Medicaid program again in 65 actually brings an increase in using some of the most expensive health care services, such as Inpatient Hospital and Outpatient Surgery. So even if Medicaid may not pay for these expenses, the rest of the health care system.
Under the 90% of older adults Medicare enrollment has some kind of supplemental range that helps them to pay for the programs not covering the program. consideration 16% of people with Medicare covered, Medicaid incorporates additional health care costs. The rest of about 90% get Additional coverage from insurance companies or has been enrolled in a Medicare advantage Plan run by a private company instead of the government.
However, 11% of Medicare-covered Americans No additional scope. It is possible that those who have lost medicaid benefits at the age of 65 may not afford any other supplemental scope options and fall into this group.
People who lose medicaid member can die as soon as possible
One of our most annoying findings is that people lose Cedicaid coverage at age 65 14% likely to die within the next 10 years For those who keep their conquest plus medicare coverage. This is true even if people who lose their Medicaid access are intending to start better health.
ALMOST 12 million Americans are enrolled In both Medicare and Medicaid today. Many have been imposed for them and other people who do not have the income while Congress considers to make large changes to the program to cut the federal spending on it.
For some Americans, it is a matter of life and death. For others, it is something healthy against bad aging leading to masters of health health not only for themselves but for a whole.
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