Medicare Provisions in Build Back Better

Last Updated: September 30, 2021

The Medicare program provides 63.1 million Americans with coverage for medical services, hospitalizations, and physician care. Despite the significance of preventative care for older adults, many seniors do not have comprehensive coverage for dental, vision, and hearing benefits, which leads to lack of access to the critical care needed to allow seniors to live healthy lives. As Congress considers adding coverage for these services along with proposals to reduce rising prescription drug costs in the Build Back Better package, lawmakers have a unique opportunity to make historic investments in improving access to care. Extending health coverage in the Medicare program could also mean that broader Medicare expansion efforts, like Medicare for All, have a brighter path forward.