Americans' Access to Healthcare Under Attack

Floor Speech

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Mr. LATIMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring attention to the Trump administration's plan to raise healthcare prices for seniors.

That is right. You did not mishear me. The Trump administration announced that they will be raising Medicare part B premiums, and deductibles will surge around 10 percent in 2026, almost double the increase from 2025.

Next year, the annual standard Medicare part B premium will be over $2,400. Seniors and disabled enrollees rely on Medicare part B to cover costs for outpatient hospital care, ambulance services, preventative screenings, medical equipment, certain prescription drugs, and more.

If that is not enough, since Medicare premiums are typically deducted from Social Security payments, the average anticipated cost-of-living increase for Social Security will be reduced by almost a third.

Many seniors who could have seen an increase of about $56 in their monthly Social Security payments will be lucky to see $38 after premium increases.

This administration continues to attack Americans' access to healthcare and undermine affordability.

This is simply a disgrace.

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