Implications of Proposed Budget Cuts on Seniors and Disabled
In the wake of President Biden’s State of the Union Address, where he vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare, a new state-by-state analysis has surfaced, highlighting the potential repercussions of the Republican Study Committee’s budget proposal. This committee, representing a significant portion of House Republicans, has put forth a budget that could severely impact seniors and individuals with disabilities.
The proposed budget includes over $1.5 trillion in cuts to Social Security, which would not only increase the retirement age to 69 but also slash disability benefits. Additionally, it seeks to raise Medicare costs for seniors by stripping away the program’s power to negotiate drug prices and by repealing cost-saving measures such as the $35 insulin cap and the $2,000 out-of-pocket limit established by the Inflation Reduction Act.
These changes are part of a broader plan to facilitate $5.5 trillion in tax cuts that largely benefit the wealthy and corporations. The budget would also necessitate a 31% cut to non-defense discretionary spending, forcing reductions in various programs that Americans rely on.
For those seeking assistance with Social Security and Medicare, the proposed cuts could mean significantly longer wait times. Applicants for disability benefits might face an additional two-month delay in decisions, and seniors could experience increased wait times when calling for help with Social Security. The analysis predicts that average wait times at Medicare call centers could jump from five minutes to over twelve.
The table below illustrates how many Americans could face these longer wait times in each state:
- Alabama: 1,095,969 Medicare enrollees and 1,271,110 Social Security beneficiaries
- California: 6,740,207 Medicare enrollees and 7,028,718 Social Security beneficiaries
- Florida: 5,000,231 Medicare enrollees and 5,429,229 Social Security beneficiaries
- New York: 3,822,366 Medicare enrollees and 4,141,114 Social Security beneficiaries
- Texas: 4,605,871 Medicare enrollees and 5,059,972 Social Security beneficiaries
The analysis assumes a uniform reduction of about 31% compared to the currently enacted FY 2024 levels for non-defense discretionary accounts. This aligns with the Republican Study Committee Budget’s goal to reduce NDD base funding to $534 billion in FY 2025.
As discussions around these proposed budget cuts continue, the potential impact on America’s seniors and disabled individuals remains a critical concern for policymakers and citizens alike.
