Protect and Strengthen Medicare

Medicare provides affordable health care for 62 million seniors and for people with disabilities. Americans pay into the program their entire working lives and are guaranteed benefits that help make health care accessible and affordable.

The 2020 election could determine whether there will be changes to the nation's health care system, including to Medicare.

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Challenges ahead

Within six years, Medicare is projected to run short of funds needed to pay full hospital benefits, primarily due to rising health care costs, rapidly increasing prescription drug prices, new technology, and increased enrollment. Lowering costs and improving the efficiency and value of health care spending are especially crucial for Medicare, as the number of enrollees is expected to rise to 80 million by 2030.

AARP guiding principles

As you consider a candidate, keep in mind AARP's priorities for the Medicare program.

• Guarantee coverage to seniors and people with disabilities, regardless of their incomes or health status.
• Maintain affordable benefits that meet the needs of Medicare enrollees. This includes allowing Medicare to negotiate the price of prescription drugs, ensuring affordable premiums and cost sharing, as well as exploring ways to expand coverage to important services like dental care and hearing aids.
• Provide high-quality and high-value care that is right for each individual.
• Ensure that all people with Medicare have access to a choice of high-quality health care providers sufficient to meet their needs.
• Sustain Medicare for the future by reducing waste, fraud and abuse and making sure that its resources are spent wisely.
• Enable Medicare to innovate and collaborate within the broader health care system. This means ensuring that Medicare takes advantage of new ideas and technologies and works within the overall health care system to improve quality of care.

For more information, please visit aarp.org/Election2020.