Trump announces $90 payments for seniors on Medicare ahead of midterm elections for premium costs

President Donald Trump announced a one-time $90 payment for more than 20 million Medicare beneficiaries, with payments expected in October through direct deposit or check. The money will come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, a pool created by Congress in 2008 to support Medicare operations and provider payments. The announcement comes just weeks before the Nov. 3 midterm elections and follows other Trump proposals aimed at sending money directly to Americans. Last month, he announced $500 Affordable Care Act rebate checks for about 1 million people, and he has promised $5,000 payments to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress. That larger proposal would require congressional approval and could cost more than $1 trillion. The $90 Medicare payment is limited to certain Medicare Part B beneficiaries. People receiving Medicaid premium assistance, paying higher income-based Medicare premiums, or enrolled in Medicare Advantage are not eligible. The move comes as Trump faces growing political pressure over affordability. According to polling cited by AP, only 17% of Americans approve of his handling of inflation, as voters remain concerned about gasoline, grocery and other living costs. Health policy experts say the Medicare Improvement Fund gives the administration considerable discretion, but previous administrations have not used it to send direct payments to beneficiaries in this manner. Source: Associated Press. Reporting by Melissa Goldin.