Funding for Medicare and Medicaid – programs that provide necessary, quality healthcare to more than 135 million Americans – could be at stake in upcoming debates over the national budget.
No other time in history has demonstrated the value of these programs than the last three years. Hospitals are experiencing significant increases in expenses for workforce, drugs and medical supplies.
We also must not forget the pandemic’s emotional toll on the six million-plus courageous healthcare workers who risked their own health – mental and physical – to care for patients.
Medicare and Medicaid are the bedrock of our healthcare system and continued funding of these programs is crucial as hospitals and health systems continue to recover from the pandemic.
Here are eight facts about Medicare and Medicaid that underscore its importance to our country:
- Medicare and Medicaid cover nearly one out of every three Americans.
- More than half of children of color rely on Medicaid and CHIP for health coverage.
- Medicaid covers four in 10 nonelderly adults with opioid addiction.
- Medicaid covers nearly one in three children in America.
- Medicaid and CHIP cover about half of all births in the U.S. — more than 1.6 million births each year.
- More than one-third of Medicare beneficiaries live with four or more chronic conditions.
- Medicaid is the principal source of long-term care coverage for Americans.
- Roughly half of all seniors had no health insurance before 1966. Today, nearly all seniors are covered by Medicare, Medicaid, or Medicare and Medicaid together.
Medicare and Medicaid are life-saving programs. Tell Congress: ensuring their continued funding is necessary to protect Americans’ health.