By Mark Swartz – New America –
With the Trump administration slashing social services to pay for historic tax cuts, states are scrambling to anticipate and mitigate the fallout for the populations affected, including seniors who depend on Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. These threats to older Americans come at a time of major demographic change. The U.S. birth rate is plummeting while the population is older than ever, and that trend stands to reshape our economy, caregiving needs, and public institutions.
As federal support recedes, the responsibility is increasingly falling on states. Maryland is trying to rise to the moment with its Longevity Ready Maryland (LRM) Plan. At the July launch of the program, Governor Wes Moore didn’t mince words: “While some in Washington threaten to pull the rug out from under our residents, placing greater strain on state resources, Maryland is stepping forward with urgency and a clear plan to put the well-being of older Marylanders front and center.”
