Rich Fiesta, Executive Director of the Alliance for Retired Americans, joined America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss what he believes is unauthorized access to Social Security data, proposed budget cuts on Medicaid and the potential impact of these actions.
Fiesta began by discussing the Social Security Administration. He explained that the acting Social Security Commissioner resigned after refusing to grant Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) team access to sensitive databases. This access could expose personal information, including Social Security numbers and banking details, to unauthorized parties. Fiesta discussed the potential risks, noting that a new acting commissioner now oversees the data.
Next, Fiesta addressed the proposed budget cuts to Medicaid and food assistance programs. He highlighted that these cuts could result in over 35 million Americans losing Medicaid coverage, including over 6 million seniors. The cuts would also affect the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which has seen increased enrollment among seniors. Fiesta warned that these reductions would strain state and local governments, as Medicaid is a joint federal-state program. According to Fiesta, the proposed $1.5 trillion cuts threaten to dismantle essential services for vulnerable populations, exacerbating the challenges faced by those in need.
Finally, Fiesta discussed the potential impact of these policy changes on the social safety net, a set of federal programs and policies that provide critical support to people during times of economic hardship. He noted that the rapid implementation of these cuts under the Trump administration has left many Americans feeling uncertain and concerned for their future. According to Fiesta, the Alliance for Retired Americans has seen increased engagement from the public, with more people reaching out in an effort to understand the potential impacts.
To hear more from Fiesta and the Alliance for Retired Americans, listen to the full episode above.