Editor’s Note: Samantha Durham is a senior at UNCW studying sociology. She is the Opinion Editor for The Seahawk and enjoys concentrating her work on social issues. All opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author. Samantha may be found on Twitter @Durham_Sam. All suggestions and inquiries may be sent via email to [email protected]. 

Recently in politics a lot of talk as been circulating around taxation and changes in funding for certain government programs; mainly Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Many of you may think that those programs do not matter to you specifically and that those programs exist solely to aid the elderly population. I would like to shed some light on the subject and explain why we as a generation should care a whole lot more about what happens to these specific programs.

For those that do not know, Medicare and Medicaid are government funded programs that provide health coverage for roughly 100 million Americans, according to USA.gov.  These programs help many people afford important medications, doctors visits and various different health oriented care. However, it is also important to remember that Medicare and Medicaid are similar but not one in the same. Medicare offers certain coverage options but Medicaid often will cover other health related needs not covered by Medicare.

Contrary to popular belief, Medicare and Medicaid are not just programs for older people. According to the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, 9 million Medicare users are disabled. Getting into the deeper details of these programs can get a little hairy but depending on an individual’s needs different “parts” exist to aid those in need. One of these parts is called Part D known for drug coverage. This allows Medicare users to have access to their medications for less.

The important part though is that these programs exist to help those in less fortunate situations regardless if that is inability to afford private insurance or a lack of overall income. I feel passionately about this because my family, regardless of what we expected, has benefited from some the programs involved with Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

However, you may be wondering why I bother to bring any of this to your attention? My own personal experiences with these programs aside, the future of these programs may not be so promising to those who need it in the future.

President Trump’s budget ideas leave many concerned about the future of these programs and what they may be able to offer to those depending on them. Massive cuts have been discussed revolving around social security, Medicaid and Medicare. These cuts could mean a lot of different things such as less coverage over a shorter period of time, higher deductibles and so on.

I urge everyone to consider who these programs benefit and how they help those in need. I never expected my family to turn to these programs but without them much of my loved one’s care would not be possible. In all honestly, these programs provide more than just care for a loved one but a piece of mind for those who care about that person.

It is important to consider what these programs do for the citizens of our country.  If you were in need of assistance would you not want to know that there is aid available to you? Therefore, before you pass off these programs as only being for the elderly or not being of any concern to you, think about the lives these programs are benefiting and how one day you may need them.

Talk about all the people who would see drastic changes if cuts were made to these programs. I know many feel they should not carry the burden of another’s problems but consider if it was you. These programs provide hope to citizens of this country and they simply cannot be put by the wayside.