Health policy
Trump sends health cost checks and promotes more cash payments before midterms
The administration has mailed $500 checks to some ACA marketplace enrollees and plans $90 checks for some Medicare Part B beneficiaries.
The Trump administration has mailed $500 refund checks to some people with ACA marketplace insurance and announced $90 checks for some Medicare beneficiaries, with the payments arriving weeks before the midterm elections. The Hill reported that about 1 million Americans received $500 checks. NPR said recipients live in one of the 30 states using Healthcare.gov and earn more than $64,000 annually as an individual.
NPR reported the $90 payments will go to certain Medicare Part B beneficiaries, not people enrolled in Medicare Advantage. NPR reported 20 million beneficiaries would receive checks, while The Hill reported more than 20 million seniors. The Hill also reported that Trump pledged $5,000 to every American adult if Republicans retain control of Congress.
Kathleen Clark, a law professor interviewed by NPR, said the letter accompanying the checks could violate the Hatch Act and that the payments may use funds not authorized by Congress. The White House did not directly answer NPR's questions about electioneering or the law.
