4 mins read

Trump’s $90 Medicare rebate rolls out, but millions aren’t eligible. Critics see a political stunt

WASHINGTON | President Donald Trump says his administration will make one-time payments of $90 per person to help more than 20 million Medicare enrollees pay for their Part B premiums. It will cost about $2 billion. Less than one-third of all Medicare recipients are eligible for the payments, which are expected to be sent out […]

3 mins read

The US national debt now stands at $40 trillion

WASHINGTON | The national debt surpassed a record $40 trillion on Wednesday, a staggering milestone as defense costs, social programs like Social Security and Medicare and interest on the burgeoning deficit make up an enormous share of federal spending. The milestone figure was recorded just five months after the U.S. hit a record $39 trillion […]

4 mins read

The Trump administration is ending a Medicare drug subsidy program. Here’s how it could affect costs

NEW YORK | Millions of older adults on Medicare prescription drug coverage could face steeper monthly costs in 2027, after the Trump administration concludes a temporary subsidy program that has helped offset premiums for the past two years. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services this week announced it would wrap up the program, which […]

6 mins read

Medicare is now covering some GLP-1 weight loss drugs for $50. Here’s what to know

NEW YORK | Popular — and expensive — GLP-1 weight loss drugs just got a lot cheaper for many older Americans. Starting Wednesday, the federal government is offering a selection of the brand name medications to certain Medicare and Medicare Advantage beneficiaries for $50 a month through a new trial called Medicare GLP-1 Bridge. The […]

3 mins read

Social Security’s retirement trust fund faces a funding shortfall a year earlier than expected

The looming challenge for the programs is a partial funding gap, not a collapse. Even after trust fund depletion, the system will continue issuing benefits, albeit at reduced amounts. Last year, Medicare’s hospital insurance trust fund go-broke date was pushed to 2033 from 2036 the year before that, according to the report from the programs’ […]