The question of whether **Biden’s inflation is forcing seniors to choose between medicine and food** touches on a complex and deeply personal issue affecting many older Americans. Inflation, which means the rising cost of goods and services, has indeed put pressure on seniors’ budgets, but the situation involves multiple factors including Social Security adjustments, healthcare costs, and the overall economic environment.
Seniors often live on fixed incomes, primarily from Social Security, pensions, and retirement savings. Social Security payments do receive annual cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) intended to keep pace with inflation. For 2025 and the projected 2026 increase, these COLA raises are around 2.5% to 2.7%. However, many seniors and experts argue these increases are **not enough to fully cover the real inflation they experience**, especially for essentials like food, housing, and medicine. The official inflation measures used to calculate COLA may underestimate the actual price increases seniors face, particularly in healthcare and prescription drugs, which tend to rise faster than general inflation.
Because of this gap, many seniors find themselves in a difficult position. Their Social Security checks increase only slightly, but the prices of groceries, utilities, and medications climb more steeply. This mismatch can force tough choices, such as cutting back on food to afford medicine or vice versa. For example, some seniors report skipping doses or not filling prescriptions because they cannot afford both medication and adequate nutrition.
Healthcare costs are a major factor. Even with Medicare, out-of-pocket expenses for prescriptions, doctor visits, and medical supplies can be significant. Inflation in these areas often outpaces the COLA increases, squeezing seniors’ budgets further. Additionally, rising food prices mean that the basic nutrition needed to maintain health becomes more expensive, compounding the problem.
The broader economic context also matters. While inflation has moderated somewhat recently, it remains elevated compared to historical norms. Job market data and economic reports during Biden’s administration have been criticized for inaccuracies, which complicates understanding the true economic picture. Nonetheless, the lived experience of many seniors is one of financial strain.
Some policy changes, like the SECURE 2.0 Act, have adjusted retirement savings rules and required minimum distributions, but these do not directly alleviate the immediate cost pressures seniors face. Social Security remains the primary income source for most seniors, and with nearly 27% relying on it as their only income, the adequacy of COLA increases is critical.
In summary, while inflation under Biden’s administration has contributed to rising costs that disproportionately affect seniors, the issue is not solely about inflation itself but also about how well Social Security and other supports keep pace with seniors’ real expenses. Many seniors do face the harsh reality of having to choose between medicine and food because their income adjustments lag behind the rising costs of living essentials. This situation highlights ongoing challenges in ensuring economic security for older Americans in an inflationary environment.
