Public policy critics are concerned about Medicare and the baby boomer generation. Why? Baby boomers are less likely to consume health care benefits because they were raised with austerity measures and value thrift. Generation Z will outspend on health care costs compared to Baby Boomers. Baby boomers may increase the number of enrollees to 93 million by 2050, when there will be fewer U.S. workers contributing to Medicare funding. Baby Boomers do not vote at the same rates as Millenials and Gen Xers.

The Medicare system is facing a significant demographic shift as baby boomers, who make up a large portion of the aging population, enroll in increasing numbers. By 2050, it's projected that the number of beneficiaries could soar to 93 million, creating immense pressure on the program’s financial sustainability, particularly when fewer workers are available to contribute to funding. Moreover, with healthcare costs continually rising, this generation's influx could lead to longer wait times, higher premiums, and reduced benefits for everyone. Critics fear that unless fundamental reforms occur to both funding and benefit structures, the system may struggle to meet the for demand, impacting the quality of care for all enrollees.