Lawmakers across the country have joined seniors in the fight to protect Medicare Advantage. Knowing that millions of seniors depend on their Medicare Advantage coverage for high-quality, affordable health care, members of Congress recognize the need to shield these critical benefits from any further cuts. Here’s what members of Congress are saying in support of Medicare Advantage:
– Bipartisan group of 53 senators, spearheaded by Sens. Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Charles Schumer (D-NY):
“At a time of broad agreement on the need to shift U.S. health care to focus on care coordination, quality, and value-based payments, it would be counterproductive to jeopardize a program that is already driven by and aligned toward those goals.”
– Bipartisan group of 239 representatives, lead by Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) and Patrick Murphy (D-FL):
“We strongly believe that cuts to MA benefits would be deeply unfair to millions of our constituents who are counting on Congress and the Administration to stabilize this program.”
– 9 House and Senate leaders, including John Boehner (OH), Kevin McCarthy (CA), Steve Scalise (LA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA), Fred Upton (MI), Paul Ryan (WI), Mitch McConnell (KY), John Cornyn (TX), and Orrin Hatch (UT):
“We remain ready to work with you to stop the harmful effects caused by another round of cuts to seniors’ health care benefits. We urge you not to finalize the policies in the proposed rule but rather work with Congress to strengthen and stabilize the Medicare Advantage program.”
– Sen. Lamar Alexander (TN)
“The administration’s proposed cuts could threaten access to popular health plans or increase out-of-pocket costs for more than 400,000 Tennesseans who have chosen Medicare Advantage — nearly one in three Tennesseans enrolled in Medicare. I urge CMS to reconsider these cuts that could disrupt health coverage for millions of seniors and individuals with disabilities in this country.”
– Op-ed from Reps. Patrick E. Murphy and Mario Diaz-Balart (FL)
“Instead of cutting Medicare Advantage, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services should learn from what is working in Medicare Advantage plans to improve cost efficiency and improve outcomes. Simply slashing an innovative and popular program makes no sense.”
– Rep. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) in CHOICES magazine
“Knowing that our loved ones can choose and receive the care they need without incurring serious financial hardship is important to all Arizona families. That is why I continue to support innovation programs like Medicare Advantage and why over 400,000 Arizonans choose Medicare Advantage plans.”
– Rep. Cathy McMorris Rogers (WA) in CHOICES magazine
“I’ve seen how Medicare Advantage encourages competition and growth by tailoring coverage options to individual needs. People should have the freedom to choose the plans that best fit their needs, and Medicare Advantage does just that.”
– Rep. Brian Babin (TX)
“I am committed to making sure that seniors have access to affordable Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. That means reversing the harmful cuts that Obamacare made to these popular and affordable plans that nearly one in three seniors has chosen.”
– Rep. Ryan Costello (PA)
“Medicare Advantage plans have been very successful. I will work for the seniors in my district to prevent further reductions in Medicare Advantage plans and to restore the cuts that have been made through implementation of the Affordable Care Act.”
– Rep. John Katko (NY)
“I think that allowing seniors access to Medicare Advantage plans in addition to traditional Medicare helps them to pick the coverage that is best for their health care needs.”
– Rep. Bruce Poliquin (ME)
“What I am hearing today very clearly is that Medicare Advantage is very important and a vital option. It is important that seniors have choices that fit their individual needs while also driving down costs and out of pocket expenses.”
– Rep. Elise Stefanik (NY)
”Protecting North Country seniors’ access to quality healthcare is a key priority of mine in Congress.”
– Rep. Mimi Walters (CA)
“Medicare Advantage is an important program for senior citizens across the country and especially in Orange County where almost half of our vibrant senior community relies upon Advantage plans to deliver their health and wellness coverage. I’m committed to supporting the program and oppose further cuts to this essential program for senior citizens.”
These members of Congress are part of a growing chorus of Medicare Advantage champions urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to protect the nearly 16 million seniors and individuals with disabilities enrolled in MA. They’re joined by a broad array of providers and stakeholders who are all standing up for the innovative approach to care delivery that only Medicare Advantage can provide.