Commonwealth Fund June 16, 2021
Toplines
The COVID-19 pandemic has had disproportionate impacts on Medicare beneficiaries and highlighted the program’s deficiencies, signaling a need for reform in several areas
The COVID-19 pandemic has hit Medicare beneficiaries hard, especially people of color, nursing home residents, and beneficiaries with chronic health conditions or mental health challenges
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disproportionate effect on Medicare beneficiaries — people age 65 and older, as well as younger beneficiaries with serious disabilities — and has exacerbated existing fault lines within the program. In addition to a higher risk of death or hospitalization, for some beneficiaries COVID-19 has decreased access to in-person care, contributed to declines in mental health, and created additional financial struggles. Congress and the Trump administration...