📋 Medicare Is a Lifeline — AARP Is Fighting to Protect It (AARP Article,Advocacy)

[SpringIsHereVA]

FROM THE ARTICLE.

By Nancy LeaMond, AARP. Published July 15, 2025.

For nearly 60 years, Medicare has been the cornerstone of health and financial security for millions of older Americans. It’s a fundamental promise: after a lifetime of hard work, you’ll be able to get the care you need, when you need it.

At AARP, we’re fighting every day to make sure that promise is kept.

Whether it’s hospital coverage, doctor visits, prescription drugs, or preventive care, Medicare is essential to helping older Americans live healthier, more independent lives. But the system isn’t perfect, and as health care evolves, so must Medicare. That means protecting what works, fixing what doesn’t, and ensuring every part of the program is delivering for the people it’s meant to serve.

USE THE LINK BELOW TO READ THE ARTICLE.

https://www.aarp.org/advocacy/blog/medicare-is-a-lifeline-aarp-is-fighting-to-protect-it.html

[SpringIsHereVA]

2026 and THIS YEAR's open enrollment (October to December) will be interesting for me. I have Traditional Medicare with Part D with Wellcare. Totally HAPPY with this setup for 2 years now. Had another provider [Aetna] my 1st year and switched when they decided to delete my "cheap" plan. So far ZERO cost to me from Wellcare. Hope that repeats for 2026. Also hoping my 2nd Medicare Doctor sticks around. Lol, started Medicare 2 years ago & that 1st year was stressful [lost my totally awesome doctor (she left Medicare practice) & my Part D provider upped my plan cost].  I would luv to hear about your MEDICARE JOURNEY!!! Take care, Nicole (Friends & Family Forum)

[GailL1]

You probably also hope that you can still qualify for the Medicare Savings Program (MSP) to pay your Part B premiums and anything else that the program you are in covers - deductible, copays, coinsurance, extra help.

A high COLA might push beneficiary’s income too high now or in the future to be eligible for the MSP.  And Part B premiums are getting higher - the current Trustee report estimates the 2026 Part B premium at over $ 200 a month.  We will know the actual Medicare premiums as well as the new Medicare deductibles in October when the 2025 usage is computed.  

[SpringIsHereVA]

@GailL1 , no I am not concerned about the 2026 Extra Help Program. As I had stated in a prevous post - Virginia put me in the program. I didnot know about it & my Part B Premiums were coming out of my Retirement Social Security direct deposit before I got it. All of my life I have done what is needed to keep a roof over my head legally. As far as COLA, again, I NEVER count on that to change my life as we may or may not get one. Either way, my life will continue as it is = live below my means & debt free. Take care, Nicole!