The unusual move, which comes weeks before the midterm elections, has been derided by Democrats and advocates as a stunt.
Read more Trump says ‘we don’t think’ Russian plague case is a bioweapon
President Donald Trump on Thursday told millions of seniors that he was taking money that Congress had set aside for Medicare improvements and sending it to them.
“You are receiving a One-Time Payment of $90 to offset some of the cost of your October Medicare premium,” Trump wrote in the email, which was sent directly to Medicare enrollees and obtained by The Washington Post. “This will ensure these funds benefit YOU and your individual healthcare needs.”
Lawmakers in both parties were surprised by Trump’s move to take $2 billion from Medicare’s improvement fund to send the payments, The Washington Post reported last week.
Trump’s message also touted his rural health care program, the launch of TrumpRx.gov and other policies.
“I am proud to be the First President in History to bring down Americans’ prescription drug prices,” Trump wrote.
Read more Trump calls for Paxton-Talarico debate as Texas Senate race heats up
The president’s message, which comes less than a month before the midterm elections, is part of Trump’s latest push to promise direct payments to Americans. Thursday’s email closely resembles Trump’s social media posts — including his use of “Obamacare” to describe the Affordable Care Act, a term that the health department generally avoids in official emails.
Trump administration spokespeople did not immediately respond to questions about the president’s message.
Democrats and advocates have said that Trump’s $90 payments to seniors do little to address their persistent health care costs, and some called his email a stunt.
“Politicizing Medicare by sending checks right before an election is shameful,” said Richard Fiesta, executive director at Alliance for Retired Americans. “Seniors can see through this hollow ploy.”
Read more GOP hope, Democratic worry: Are midterm polls underestimating Republicans?
