Senior health news and updates
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Senior Health News

Curated updates on Medicare, Social Security, and senior health — sourced from CMS, SSA, CDC, AARP, and other trusted authorities.

70 articles

Latest News & Updates

News

Ozempic Reduces Food Noise for Weight Loss

GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro help reduce food cravings by quieting ‘food noise,’ supporting healthier eating habits and weight loss for older adults.

Source: Healthline

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Plant-Forward Diets Aid Menopause Weight

A new study found plant-rich, low-processed diets may help manage menopause-related weight gain — practical diet guidance for women aging in place.

Source: Healthline

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Wegovy: Semaglutide Reduces Migraine Severity, Especially in Women

A new study found that women using semaglutide had a reduction in their use of triptans, a drug commonly prescribed for migraine. Victor Bordera/Stocksy A study has found that treatment with semaglutide led to reduced triptan usage in women. Howeve...

Source: Healthline

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Hospital Prices Have Risen Much Faster for Private Insurance Than Medicare Since 2019

This brief compares the prices paid by private insurers for hospital care to increases in Medicare payment using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Producer Price Index (PPI), finding that hospital prices have risen much faster for privat...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Trump Bought Stock in Drugmaker as His Government Boosted Its Obesity Drugs

New ethics disclosures show the president invested in Eli Lilly and a company that manufactures injectable devices as his health agencies implemented policies that benefited them.

Source: KFF Health News

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CMS’ New Approach to Federal Medicaid Spending in Cases of Potential Fraud

CMS is shifting to a new fraud strategy relying more heavily on pausing or withholding Medicaid funding, with broad implications for states and enrollees.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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A Look at New or Expanded Medicaid and Public Health Partnerships from 2025: Findings from A Survey of State Medicaid Programs

State Medicaid and public health agencies both work to advance the health of their communities, often pursuing similar priorities and serving similar populations. This brief examines findings from KFF's 25th annual Medicaid budget survey, which asked...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Medicaid Changes in House and Senate Reconciliation Bills Would Increase Costs for 1.3 Million Low-Income Medicare Beneficiaries

On May 22, the House passed a reconciliation bill cutting Medicaid to fund tax extensions, raising costs for 1.3 million low-income Medicare beneficiaries.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Trump Demands Medicaid Data for Deportation. Some States Go a Step Further.

Several states require health agencies to verify and report Medicaid recipients' immigration status to DHS. North Carolina is the latest to enact such a law.

Source: KFF Health News

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She Was Diagnosed with HIV in 1996 and Still Thriving Today at 74

Barbara Roberts has lived with HIV for 30 years. Now, a new FDA-approved medication is changing how she manages it at the age of 74. Barbara Roberts (pictured above) was diagnosed with HIV at the age of 44. Today, at 74, she continues thriving with...

Source: Healthline

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Weight Loss Surgeries Decline as GLP-1 Use Skyrockets. Why This Matters

The number of people getting bariatric surgery for weight loss has declined, partly due to the rise of GLP-1 medications. KARRASTOCK/Getty Images A new study has found a decline in the number of people getting bariatric surgery for weight loss. The...

Source: Healthline

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What to Know About the BALANCE Model for GLP-1s in Medicare and Medicaid and the Medicare GLP-1 Bridge

This brief describes current coverage of GLP-1s in Medicare and Medicaid, the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Services’ (CMS) efforts to expand access and lower costs for GLP-1s through temporary demonstration programs including the BALANCE Model, and...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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A Look at the GENEROUS Model and Factors That Could Impact Medicaid Drug Costs

This issue brief provides background on the GENEROUS model, examines the factors that will contribute to the model’s overall impact on Medicaid drug costs, and illustrates how savings will depend on model details that are confidential or uncertain at...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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A New Medicare Option for Weight Loss Drugs: What Older Americans Should Know

It may soon get easier for millions of people with Medicare to get discounted GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.

Source: KFF Health News

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Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions

Track which states have expanded Medicaid under the ACA. Updated map and resources help seniors and caregivers understand coverage options and plan for care needs.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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States Eye Aid To Prop Up Distressed Hospitals Amid Federal Medicaid Cuts

Hundreds of hospitals nationwide are bracing for Medicaid cuts as a result of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Some state lawmakers are eyeing loans and other forms of financial aid to distressed hospitals in rural and urban areas, as healthcare provi...

Source: KFF Health News

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Health Coverage by Race and Ethnicity, 2010-2024

In 2024, uninsured rates rose for the first time since 2019 as pandemic Medicaid ended, with coverage losses among Hispanic, Black, and White adults under 65.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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HHS’ Healthy Food Agenda Puts Hospitals on Notice About Patients’ Meals

The backlash was immediate after the Trump administration served notice that hospitals and nursing homes should limit sugary drinks and dietary supplements in favor of what the Department of Health and Human Services terms “real food.”

Source: KFF Health News

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Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program Enhance Some Consumer Protections But Roll Back Others

CMS recently finalized policies as part of the 2027 Medicare Advantage final rule that both enhance consumer protections and roll back changes to the Medicare Advantage program that were intended to protect consumers. These changes have gotten less a...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Abortion Coverage Limitations in Medicaid and Private Insurance Plans

This brief reviews current federal and state policies on Medicaid and insurance coverage of abortion services in the U.S. and presents national and state estimates on the availability of abortion coverage for people enrolled in private plans, Marketp...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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An Early Look at Policy Decisions as States Get Ready to Implement Work Requirements

This issue brief presents findings on policy decisions related to implementation of Medicaid work requirements. The findings draw on information from the annual survey of state Medicaid and CHIP program officials conducted by KFF and the Georgetown U...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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States Rush To Figure Out How To Enforce Trump’s Medicaid Work Requirements

A KFF survey of state Medicaid officials offers insight into lingering uncertainty and differing plans for work requirement implementation as the Jan. 1 deadline approaches.

Source: KFF Health News

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Survey Offers Early Look at States’ Differing Approaches to Implementing Medicaid Work Requirements Amid Cost and Time Constraints and Uncertainty from Delayed Federal Guidance

A new KFF survey of state Medicaid officials and focus groups in eight states captures the different choices states are making about how to implement Medicaid work requirements, with seven states planning for a more restrictive approach to verifying...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Trump’s Medicaid Work Mandate Debuting in Nebraska to Much Dismay

On May 1, the state will become the first to require people on the government health program to fulfill a work requirement or lose their coverage under a new rule that was a key part of congressional Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

Source: KFF Health News

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Mounjaro May Lead to Greater Lean Body Mass Loss than Ozempic. Here's Why

Research shows that Ozempic may preserve lean body mass better than Mounjaro. Image Credit: Iuliia Burmistrova/Getty Images A recent study found that semaglutide medications, such as Ozempic, may better preserve lean body mass than tirzepatide medic...

Source: Healthline

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State Policies on Abortion Coverage in Medicaid, Private Insurance, and ACA Exchange Plans in 2025

The interactive map shows the increase in states with laws restricting abortion coverage in Medicaid and private insurance in 2010 compared to the present.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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The Help That Many Older Americans Need Most

With shortages of medical professionals and an aging population, thousands of community healthcare workers prevent older adults from falling through the cracks.

Source: KFF Health News

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Trump Reclassifies State-Licensed Medical Cannabis, but It’s Not Legal Just Yet

Flowers, also known as buds, grow at the top of a mature marijuana plant on a farm owned and operated by Qualla Enterprises, LLC in Cherokee, NC. Image credit: Charlotte Observer/Getty Images An executive order signed by the Trump administration rec...

Source: Healthline

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Medigap Premiums Leap, and Consumers Have Few Alternatives

Millions of people rely on the supplemental insurance to offset the deductibles, copayments, and other costs faced by enrollees in the traditional Medicare program.

Source: KFF Health News

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Montana Moves Ahead With Doula Pay but Warns Medicaid Cuts Still May Come

Montana health officials say they’re seeking to add doula services to the state’s Medicaid program, reversing a previous statement that they would “not be moving forward” amid a budget shortfall.

Source: KFF Health News

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Medicaid Waiver Tracker: Approved and Pending Section 1115 Waivers by State

Section 1115 Medicaid waivers can allow states to test new approaches in Medicaid that differ from what is required by federal law. This page tracks approved and pending waiver provisions (including expansions and restrictions) related to eligibility...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Real Estate Investors Profit From Long-Term Care While Residents Languish

Real estate investment trusts are landlords for thousands of nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and hospitals. Some select the managers and keep close watch over their performance but deny responsibility for bad care.

Source: KFF Health News

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How Employers Support Lower-Waged Workers’ Access to Health Insurance Options

This analysis examines the costs, availability, and take-up of health benefits for workers with lower wages, using survey data and focus groups with more than 100 U.S. employers with over a quarter of a million employees.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Recent Trends in Employer-Based Health Coverage

Explore recent trends in employer-based health coverage, analyzing how benefits are evolving to meet the needs of modern workplaces and employees.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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US Birth Rate Drop: Federal Response Risks Safety

Analyze how the declining US birth rate and the federal government’s response could impact long-term safety and societal stability across the nation.

Source: KFF Health News

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New Medicaid Rules Require Work; Some States Demand More

New Medicaid rules mandate work requirements, with some states imposing additional demands. Learn how these changes affect healthcare eligibility.

Source: KFF Health News

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Employer-Sponsored Health Insurance 101

This Health Policy 101 chapter explores employer-sponsored health insurance (ESI), the primary health coverage source for U.S. residents under age 65. In addition to detailing ESI requirements and incentives, structure, availability, and costs, the c...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Rural Nebraska Dialysis Unit Closes Despite the State’s $219M in Rural Health Funding

A rural Nebraska dialysis unit that was hemorrhaging money closed, upending patients’ lives. That’s despite a federal rural health program that granted the state more than $200 million this year to improve health care in rural communities.

Source: KFF Health News

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Los estados se enfrentan a otro reto con las nuevas reglas laborales de Medicaid: la falta de personal

Las agencias estatales de Medicaid pueden tener dificultades para mantener suficiente personal que ayude a las personas a inscribirse en los beneficios. La salud puede estar en peligro.

Source: KFF Health News

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Rovner Recaps Medicaid Cuts’ Impact on Hospitals and Fields Caller Questions on Affordability

KFF Health News chief Washington correspondent Julie Rovner recently made the radio rounds to discuss topical stories. Here’s a collection of her appearances.

Source: KFF Health News

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Watch: As AI Makes More Health Coverage Decisions, the Risks to Patients Grow

Major health insurers and even Medicare are using artificial intelligence to make coverage decisions. But class action lawsuits have accused insurers of using AI to wrongfully withhold treatment, and new research illuminates the risks.

Source: KFF Health News

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Farm Bureau Health Plans Beat the ACA on Prices With an Age-Old Tactic: Rejecting Sick People

Fourteen states now allow health coverage through state farm bureaus. Though they generally share many features of Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, they aren’t insurance. Neither are they typically subject to federal or state health insurance r...

Source: KFF Health News

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Farm Bureau Plans Are a Less Pricey Alternative to ACA Coverage — With Trade-Offs

Fourteen states now allow health coverage through state farm bureaus. Though they generally share many features of Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, they aren’t insurance. Neither are they typically subject to federal or state health insurance r...

Source: KFF Health News

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States Face Another Challenge With Medicaid Work Rules: Staffing Shortages

Some states already don’t have enough staff to quickly process Medicaid applications and answer enrollees’ phone calls. Researchers say they may not be prepared to handle new Medicaid work rules, predicting people will lose coverage as a result.

Source: KFF Health News

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TikTok ADHD & Autism Content Often Misleading

New research finds that a significant number of videos about ADHD, autism, and various mental health conditions on social media platforms like TikTok are misleading or inaccurate. Maria Korneeva/Getty Images A new study has found that a significant...

Source: Healthline

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Personas mayores inmigrantes pierden la cobertura de Medicare a pesar de haber aportado por años

La ley One Big Beautiful Bill Act del Partido Republicano, firmada en julio pasado por el presidente Donald Trump, prohíbe que ciertas categorías de inmigrantes con presencia legal accedan a Medicare.

Source: KFF Health News

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California Medicaid Work Requirements & Budget Cuts

This issue brief examines California's Medicaid work requirement implementation plans to provide initial insight into how California is preparing to implement work requirements amid projected state budget shortfalls and changes in the 2025 reconcilia...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Immigrant Seniors Lose Medicare They Paid Into

Rosa María Carranza has worked and paid taxes for more than two decades, but a provision in the GOP's One Big Beautiful Bill Act will make her and an estimated 100,000 other lawfully present immigrant seniors ineligible for Medicare. Now Carranza’s o...

Source: KFF Health News

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9 Simple Dietary Changes to Lower Heart Disease Risk

The American Heart Association released updated dietary guidance suggesting that following 9 key steps may significantly improve cardiovascular health and reduce the risk of heart disease. Alexander Spatari/Getty Images The AHA has released updated...

Source: Healthline

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Viral 'Parasite Cleanse' Won't Detox Your Body

Social media influencers are touting so-called "parasite cleanses," claiming they rid the body of toxins. Maria Korneeva/Getty Images Social media users claim that “parasite cleanses” using teas, herbs, and DIY remedies can rid the body of hidden in...

Source: Healthline

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How Medicaid Contractors Profit From Trump Policy

Get our weekly newsletter, The Week in Brief, featuring a roundup of our original coverage, Fridays at 2 p.m. ET.

Source: KFF Health News

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Midlife Activity Cuts Women's Early Death Risk by 50%

Staying physically active during midlife can improve health and longevity. Morsa Images/Getty Images A new study reports that midlife exercise can cut women's risk of early death in half. Women tend to lose muscle mass starting in midlife, which ca...

Source: Healthline

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CDC: Home Modifications Top Fall Prevention List

Falls are not an inevitable part of aging. Most falls can be prevented, and the right combination of interventions makes a real difference.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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Family Caregivers Provide $1 Trillion in Unpaid Care

That $1 trillion reflects the everyday reality of millions of families, people stepping in to care for loved ones in ways that are both deeply personal and essential to how our country functions.

Source: AARP

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77% of Gen X Fear Social Security Won't Last

They feel more financially vulnerable than other generations. It should be an exciting period of their life. But clearly, many are not feeling that.

Source: AARP

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Low-Dose Lithium May Slow Alzheimer's Memory Decline

Lithium is not approved to treat mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and the findings from this study do not support using it clinically right now.

Source: AARP

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Medicare Part D Out-of-Pocket Cap Now $2,100 in 2026

When the negotiated prices go into effect in 2026, people enrolled in Medicare prescription drug coverage would save an estimated $1.5 billion.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

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OTC Hearing Aids: What Seniors Are Saying Now

OTC hearing aids offer a real, affordable option for millions of Americans who previously went without care — but they work best for those with confirmed mild to moderate loss.

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

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Public Opinion on Prescription Drugs and Their Prices

This chart collection draws on recent KFF poll findings to provide an in-depth look at the public's attitudes toward prescription drugs and their prices. Results include the U.S. public’s experiences with prescription drug costs, use of GLP-1 medicat...

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Sarcopenia: How Much Protein Older Adults Need

Higher intakes [of protein] are associated with less loss.

Source: AARP

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New $6,000 Tax Deduction for Adults 65+ in 2026

The new deduction is in addition to the existing extra standard deduction for people age 65-plus.

Source: AARP

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Social Security and Taxes in 2026: Seniors' Guide

If your income was more in 2025 than in 2024, it would definitely benefit you to make that election — regarding the lump-sum reporting option for retroactive WEP/GPO payments.

Source: AARP

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AARP Warns of Social Security Data Breach by DOGE

You only need one mistake of a certain type to have a huge number of people harmed and in a way that can't be fixed.

Source: AARP

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States Pay Millions to Comply With Trump Medicaid Law

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will add red tape and restrictions for those seeking Medicaid and SNAP benefits. And the costs to update computer systems that determine eligibility for those programs will be steep.

Source: KFF Health News

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Medicaid Immigration Checks Find Few Violations

Federal health officials have ordered states to reverify the immigration status of hundreds of thousands of Medicaid enrollees. After seven months, findings from five states show the reviews have uncovered few immigrants without legal status who are...

Source: KFF Health News

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Medicaid Work Requirements: 2025 Law Data & Policy

Detailed state and national data related to the 2025 Reconciliation Law Medicaid Work Requirements

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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Medicaid Enrollment and Unwinding Tracker

This tracker presents the most recent Medicaid data on renewals and disenrollments available for each state as well as monthly enrollment data during the unwinding period.

Source: KFF (Kaiser Family Foundation)

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CDC: 112 Older Adults Die Daily from Falls

Falls among adults 65 and older caused over 38,000 deaths in 2021, making it the leading cause of injury death for that group. In 2021, emergency departments recorded nearly 3 million visits for older adult falls.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

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Medicare Negotiated Prices: 10 Drugs Cheaper in 2026

When the negotiated prices go into effect in 2026, people enrolled in Medicare prescription drug coverage would save under the projected defined standard benefit design an estimated $1.5 billion.

Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

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Social Security Up 2.8% in 2026 — Medicare Offset

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for 75 million Americans will increase 2.8 percent in 2026, with benefits payable to nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries beginning in January 2026.

Source: Social Security Administration