On the eve of the midterm elections on November 3rd, U.S. President Donald Trump promised to distribute more funds to voters. This time, he plans to give each of the over 20 million elderly people $90 to help pay for health insurance premiums.
On October 3rd, local time, Trump posted this information on social media.
I am delighted to announce that my government will immediately begin distributing approximately $100 checks to over 2 million elderly citizens," he wrote, adding that these funds would "help them pay their health insurance premiums for Part B".
According to the Associated Press, this commitment requires congressional approval and could cost more than $1 trillion, increasing the deficit and exacerbating inflation.
Polls show that more and more Americans attribute high gasoline and food prices to Trump, with only 17% of people acknowledging his handling of inflation. Trump attempts to downplay people’s concerns about rising prices, claiming that the economy is booming.
The White House responded by stating that the $90 monthly subsidies for elderly individuals will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund. This fund was established by Congress in 2008 to provide flexible funding for improving program operations and paying healthcare providers.
The White House stated that individuals enrolled in Medicare Part B are expected to receive a one-time payment in October, which can be paid either by direct deposit or check. Medicare Part B covers costs such as doctor visits, ambulance services, and laboratory tests. The monthly total cost is approximately $200, with the specific amount depending on income.
According to Bloomberg, Trump posted this message on social media after returning to Washington from a mid-term campaign rally in Mobile, Alabama.
Currently, there is only a little over a month left until the midterm elections. The Republican Party faces strong challenges from Democrats in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Even in traditional Republican strongholds like Alabama, the election prospects are not optimistic.
Last month, Trump said that approximately 1 million people would receive refund checks of $500 under the Affordable Care Act.
He also promised during the campaign that if the Republican Party retained control of the House and Senate in the midterm elections, he would give each American adult $5,000.
