Trump announces $90 payments for more than 20 million seniors ahead of the midterm elections

President Donald Trump announced that the U.S. administration will provide $90 payments to more than 20 million older people enrolled in Medicare to help them pay the premiums for Part B of the program. The measure is expected to be implemented at the beginning of October, approximately one month before the midterm elections.

Trump said in a post on Truth Social that the money would come from the Medicare Improvement Fund, which he criticized as a “hidden fund.” According to a White House fact sheet, eligible seniors will receive the amount by direct deposit or, if they do not have one, by checks sent through the mail. The “majority” of Medicare Part B beneficiaries are expected to be eligible.

The standard premium for Medicare Part B is $202.90 per month. Therefore, the payment announced by the administration will cover less than half the cost of one month. The program’s total value is estimated at approximately $2 billion.

The announcement is part of a series of financial promises Trump has made ahead of the elections, including proposals for rebates for Obamacare beneficiaries and a possible dividend for people living near data centers. These measures come amid unfavorable polls on the economy and electoral pressure on the administration.