The Trump administration is proposing regulatory changes that could result in cuts in federal aid to millions of low-income Americans.
The Office of Management and Budget proposal would adopt a lower rate of inflation to determine poverty — meaning the poverty limit would rise more slowly, and fewer people would qualify for assistance.
After 10 years, the change would result in:
- Over a quarter million seniors and people with disabilities will lose their eligibility for Medicare Part D’s low-income subsidy program or receive minimal assistance.
- More than 150 thousand seniors or people with disabilities will lose assistance with their Medicare premiums.
- 300 thousand children will not be eligible for Medicaid or CHIP coverage.
- Another quarter million people will lose the coverage they gained through the Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion.
- More than 150 thousand ACA exchange enrollees will lose all or most of their cost-sharing assistance.
- Tens of thousands of ACA enrollees will lose their premium subsidies, and millions will receive much smaller subsidies.
