Many Floridians worried about Medicare’s future
More than 5 million people across Florida rely on Medicare to cover medical expenses
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - As more Americans get closer to retirement, many are worried they don’t have enough money saved. A recent AARP survey found that one in five adults over 50 have no retirement savings, and more than half worry about outliving their funds.
More than 5 million people across Florida rely on Medicare to cover medical expenses, a program President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law nearly 60 years ago.
“Before Medicare was enacted, 56 percent of Americans had no health insurance,” National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare president Max Richtman said.
The Social Security Administration said one of the funds that pays Medicare benefits will run out of money in 2036. The social security accounts will run out in 2033 before benefits would be cut.
During a virtual news conference celebrating the anniversary of Medicare, Florida Democratic Party chair Nikki Fried criticized Senator Rick Scott’s proposals about the program’s future.
“Florida has the largest proportion of seniors of any state in the country. Yet Rick Scott wants to rip away senior’s health care,” Fried said.
Fried was referring to Senator Scott’s plan to end all federal programs after five years. He changed his plan last year to make sure Social Security and Medicare are omitted.
His “11-point plan to Rescue America” would “Force Congress to issue a report every year telling the public what they plan to do when Social Security and Medicare go bankrupt.”
Senator Scott’s campaign spokesman Will Hampson condemned the accusation saying, “Both President Trump and Senator Scott have been 100% clear that any cuts to Medicare or Social Security are unacceptable and are completely off the table.”
The Social Security Administration says the Medicare accounts are slightly improving over last year after several changes including how medical education expenses are accounted for and higher taxes.
AARP said more than a quarter of people 50 and older never expect to retire.
Copyright 2024 WCTV. All rights reserved.
