Nation’s Pillars Face Threats as Anniversaries Loom

Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid celebrate milestone years amid funding and access concerns.

Three foundational U.S. programs—Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid—are set to mark significant anniversaries, celebrating 90 and 60 years of service respectively. These programs, vital to national health and economic security, are encountering substantial challenges that threaten their accessibility and long-term viability.

Enduring Popularity Masks Growing Vulnerabilities

Recent polls underscore the widespread public approval for these programs. A striking 96% of respondents in an AARP survey deemed Social Security essential, while 80% expressed a positive view of the program according to KFF polling. Social Security alone is credited with reducing poverty among older adults by 75%, providing crucial retirement income for many.

“Before Medicare and Medicaid, half of older adults were uninsured.”

Medicare and Medicaid also enjoy robust public support, with favorability ratings at 82% and 83% respectively in early 2025 KFF polling. Prior to their creation, a significant portion of seniors lacked health insurance. Today, less than 1% remain uninsured, highlighting their critical role in the healthcare landscape.

Medicare’s Sustainability Hindered by Structural Issues

While discussions often focus on Medicare’s trust fund solvency, underlying structural problems exacerbate financial pressures. Inefficiencies within Medicare Advantage, including significant overpayments driven by an abundance of plans and misaligned incentives for insurers, drain billions annually from the program.

“The program’s overspending on Medicare Advantage alone drains billions of dollars from the program every year.”

Furthermore, the lack of coverage for essential dental, hearing, and vision care contributes to higher long-term costs for beneficiaries. Current payment models also incentivize more expensive care settings, adding to program expenses.

Legislative Actions Jeopardize Access to Care

Recent budget reconciliation efforts have introduced substantial cuts to Medicaid, impacting millions who rely on it for essential services, including older adults and individuals with disabilities. These changes make it harder for Medicare beneficiaries to access vital support programs that help with healthcare costs and daily living expenses.

“Because the bill increases the national debt, it triggers substantial cuts to Medicare through a budgetary rule known as ‘PAYGO.’”

Medicare itself faces significant reductions due to the reconciliation bill, with automatic cuts of nearly $500 billion projected to take effect next year unless Congress intervenes. These cuts threaten eligibility, modernization efforts, and beneficiary protections.

Administrative Changes Undermine Social Security and Other Programs

Beyond legislative actions, administrative changes are also impacting these crucial programs. The Social Security Administration has seen staffing reductions and office closures, creating barriers to service for beneficiaries. These actions, coupled with rule changes, have generated widespread confusion.

Similar cuts to staffing and funding have affected Medicare, Medicaid, and other Health and Human Services programs. The planned elimination of the Administration for Community Living and the termination of staff at the Medicare-Medicaid Coordination Office represent significant blows to services supporting older adults and people with disabilities.

Call to Action: Safeguarding Essential Programs

As these programs approach their anniversary milestones, their enduring value and the current threats they face necessitate a renewed commitment to their protection and enhancement. Ensuring their strength for future generations requires addressing systemic inefficiencies and legislative risks.