Bell, citing 2014 data from the Kaiser Family Foundation, said roughly 11 million Medicare beneficiaries -- one in five -- also rely on Medicaid. A potential overhaul of the Medicaid program would significantly affect beneficiaries of Medicare as well , despite public ’ assurances to the contrary . The per - capita caps proposed in overhauls such as the withdrawn GOP repeal would also affect Medicare recipients , as around 11 m Medicare beneficiaries also require Medicaid assistance . A per - capita cap would reduce contributions by the federal government , turning an open - ended state contribution into a lump sum payment , and putting pressure on long - term supports and services ( LTSS ) that are seen as “ optional ” . These LTSS options in generous states currently help to make federal spending more efficient , leading to concerns that Medicare costs will increase without these caps . Per - capita caps could also lead to a lack of integration between Medicare and Medicaid programs , leading to increased costs and a lack of incentive for states to continue offering home - based services rather than nursing home facilities .
A potential overhaul of the Medicaid program would significantly affect beneficiaries of Medicare as well , despite public ’ assurances to the contrary . The per - capita caps proposed in overhauls such as the withdrawn GOP repeal would also affect Medicare recipients , as around 11 m Medicare beneficiaries also require Medicaid assistance . A per - capita cap would reduce contributions by the federal government , turning an open - ended state contribution into a lump sum payment , and putting pressure on long - term supports and services ( LTSS ) that are seen as “ optional ” . These LTSS options in generous states currently help to make federal spending more efficient , leading to concerns that Medicare costs will increase without these caps . Per - capita caps could also lead to a lack of integration between Medicare and Medicaid programs , leading to increased costs and a lack of incentive for states to continue offering home - based services rather than nursing home facilities .