President Donald Trump announced late Friday that his administration will send nearly $90 checks to more than 20 million senior citizens to help cover Medicare Part B premiums. The payments, totaling roughly $2 billion, will be distributed in early October either by direct deposit or paper checks, according to axios.com. This move comes just a month before the midterm elections.
Trump made the announcement on Truth Social shortly before 11 p.m. ET, stating the funds will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which he previously criticized as a "Slush Fund." The White House fact sheet clarified that most Medicare Part B enrollees are eligible for the one-time payment. The Medicare Improvement Fund was established in 2008 to improve program operations and payments to healthcare providers, per fortune.com.
The $90 payment offsets less than half of the standard Medicare Part B premium, which is $202.90 per month. This initiative follows Trump's earlier promises of $500 rebate checks for Affordable Care Act premiums and a campaign pledge to send $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress. The $5,000 proposal would cost over $1 trillion and add to the deficit and inflation, according to fortune.com.
The White House confirmed that the $90 payments will be sent in early October to eligible seniors, either through direct deposit or paper checks. This distribution is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to provide financial relief ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.