Trump’s $90 Medicare Rebate — Another Gimmick Masquerading as Policy
Instead of meaningful action to lower Americans’ health care costs, Trump has announced yet another publicity stunt. He has promised some 20 million Medicare Part B enrollees a one-time, $90 rebate. Of course, this does effectively nothing to lower Americans’ health care costs, which Trump/GOP policies have made increasingly unaffordable. The Republicans’ Big, Ugly bill slashed nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid – and the GOP-controlled Congress refused to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits. These actions have put immense upward pressure on Americans’ health care premiums.
Trouble Ahead for Medicare Advantage & Medicaid Patients
For years, Medicare Advantage (MA) providers have marketed their plans with celebrity endorsements, promises of extra dental, vision, and hearing benefits, and the appeal of low or zero monthly premiums. But for millions of older adults, that illusory promise of stable coverage is colliding with a harsh reality. Unsatisfied with profits, insurance giants like Humana, United HealthCare and Aetna are pulling out of some markets entirely, leaving Medicare Advantage patients stranded. People enrolled in these plans will be forced to look elsewhere for their coverage in 2027.
Protecting FDR’s Vision on Social Security’s 91st Birthday
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Social Security into law 91 years ago -- on August 14, 1935 – he said its enactment was “historic for all time.” FDR was right. Nine decades later, Social Security remains one of the most successful – and most popular – federal programs ever. In poll after poll, overwhelming majorities of Americans across party lines approve of Social Security – and don’t want to see it cut. Despite public sentiment, there’s been a well-funded, long-term movement to undermine this landmark achievement of FDR’s New Deal. Many on the political right have opposed Social Security from the very beginning.
Upcoming Celebration Event
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Social Security is on the Ballot in 2026
we have launched a new voter education campaign called “Social Security on the Ballot.” Its message is simple but urgent: when Americans go to the polls this November, they’ll be choosing candidates who will shape the future of Social Security.
Social Security Commissioner’s Sketchy Sales Pitch to Congress
If Social Security Commissioner (and CEO of the IRS) Frank Bisignano brought anything with him from the corporate world, it is his ability to sell, sell, sell. At a June 10th hearing on Capitol Hill, the former Wall Street executive did his best to sell the fiction that EVERYTHING IS JUST GREAT at the Social Security Administration – despite massive understaffing, poor morale, and outright abuse of beneficiaries’ personal data. While House Ways and Means Committee Republicans responded to Bisignano’s testimony with complete credulity, Democrats and Social Security advocates would have appreciated -- pardon the pun -- a little more Frankness. And maybe even a smidge of humility.
Making Sense of the New Social Security Trustees Report
On Tuesday morning, The Social Security Administration (SSA) released its highly anticipated Trustees Report for 2026. The trustees project that the depletion date of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Federal Disability Insurance (OASDI) trust fund surplus will hold firm at 2034, at which time the program still could play 83% of promised benefits. (Advocates and analysts expected the date to creep up one year to 2033.) Interestingly enough, the trustees report blames Trump administration policies for the acceleration of trust fund insolvency – pointing to the Big, Ugly Bill which decreased tax revenues flowing into Social Security... in addition to Trump’s anti-immigration campaign. (Less immigration means fewer workers paying into the system.)
Social Security Commissioner Helped to Facilitate Trump Slush Fund
Throughout his tenure in the Trump administration, Frank Bisignano — the Social Security Commissioner and “CEO” of the IRS — has established himself as a willing participant in some of the President’s most controversial political projects. That dynamic came to a head this month, when Bisignano used his position with the IRS to sign off on an agreement with the Justice Department that created the widely criticized “Anti-Weaponization Fund,” intended to direct taxpayer dollars to January 6 defendants and other Trump allies.
The Trump/Vance Medicaid Retribution Road Show
The Trump administration continues to weaponize Medicaid to punish Blue States under the phony cover of hunting for “waste, fraud, and abuse.” Trump named J.D. Vance ‘fraud czar’ – and the veep has wasted no time withholding billions of dollars in Medicaid funds from Democratic-run states. Last week, Vance announced he’s holding back $1.3 billion in Medicaid reimbursements to California over allegations of “fraud.” There obviously is no love lost between the Trump administration and Governor Gavin Newsome’s state.
Fact-Checking the Frankster 2.0
The Trump administration is celebrating Social Security Commissioner Frank Bisignano’s first year on the job with a triumphant press release, hailing the agency as a “premier service organization.” In truth, there isn’t much to celebrate, despite Bisignano’s boasting.