US Debt Interest $3 Billion Per Day Now Exceeds Medicare Spending 2026

# US Debt Interest $3 Billion Per Day Now Exceeds Medicare Spending 2026

> **Quick answer:** The US Treasury paid $628 billion in net interest on the national debt in the first seven months of fiscal 2026 — averaging $2.96 billion per day. That is more than the $588 billion spent on Medicare over the same period, according to Congressional Budget Office data. The interest burden is expected to surpass $1 trillion for the full fiscal year, driven by a near-$39 trillion debt load, higher-for-longer interest rates, and Iran war spending adding roughly $2 billion per week to the deficit.

The US government is now paying more to service its debt than it spends keeping seniors healthy. That sentence used to be a warning. In 2026, it is a budget line item.

Congressional Budget Office data released this month confirms that debt interest payments have overtaken Medicare spending for the first seven months of the fiscal year — and the gap is widening. Here is what the numbers mean, why they are likely to get worse, and what this fiscal turning point signals for every taxpayer, retiree, and investor in America.

*This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Consult a qualified financial advisor for personal financial decisions.*

## The Numbers: $628 Billion in Interest, $588 Billion for Medicare