With Medicare insolvency expected in just a few years, lawmakers are zeroing in on ways to save the program money, including curbing prescription drug costs and increased oversight of privately run Medicare Advantage plans — though many of these measures face fierce industry opposition or are a nonstarter in Congress.
The trust fund backing Medicare’s hospital benefit is forecasted to run dry in 2026 without government intervention. To date, Congress has not allowed the fund to become depleted, though deficit hawks and watchdogs warn the situation is becoming increasingly precarious. Lawmakers often leave action right up until the last minute, threatening financial stability for the vast majority of U.S. providers that accept Medicare.
