A Trump administration proposal that would change how the federal poverty line is calculated would cause millions of people to lose assistance from government health programs, according to a report from the left-leaning Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.
Under the proposal, the Trump administration would use a lower inflation measure when calculating yearly adjustments to the federal poverty line. The Office of Management and Budget has requested public comment on the change.
The administration said the change would make the calculation more accurate. However, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities said it would lower the poverty line and ultimately cut billions of dollars from programs like Medicare and Medicaid.
After 10 years, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities estimates that more than 250,000 seniors and disabled people would lose eligibility for Medicare's Part D Low-income Subsidy Program, or receive less help from the program. The Center also predicts more than 300,000 children would lose coverage through Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program. An additional 250,000-plus adults who gained Medicaid benefits under the ACA could lose them, among other changes.
For the full report, click here.
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