Medicare guarantees access to health care for older adults and people with disabilities. Together with the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid, Medicare builds health security and well-being for New Yorkers of all ages. Any changes to these programs, whether at the state or federal level, must aim for healthier people, better care, and smarter spending—not paying more for less.
For decades, Medicare and Medicaid have served as building blocks for health care and well-being for older adults and people with disabilities. The programs, with some overlap, serve different populations, provide different benefits, have different structures, and often face different political obstacles.
