Coalition Members Meet with Representative Obernolte

Eight members and advocates of the Coalition for Medicare Choices (CMC) recently met with Representative Jay Obernolte (R-CA-08) to discuss why they are among the 28 million American seniors and people with disabilities who have chosen Medicare Advantage.

During the virtual discussion, coalition member Mark shared that he is a survivor of prostate cancer, and Medicare Advantage has been essential in helping him get access to care and recovery treatments. When he turned 65, Medicare Advantage was the best choice because of the better benefits it offers. It can be complicated to navigate original Medicare, he said, and he finds Medicare Advantage much easier. He also discussed the value delivered by Medicare Advantage, including the low premiums and a cap on out-of-pocket costs.

Maureen, echoed comments about easier access to care and better value. As her mother’s caregiver, Maureen explained that when she was enrolled in original Medicare it was difficult for her mother to get the care she needed. With Medicare Advantage, caring for her mother got much easier. In addition to simpler care coordination, Maureen’s mother was able to afford the treatments she needed, giving them both peace of mind.

Coalition member Glenn also cared for his mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s. Glenn and his family relied on Medicare Advantage to help them access the care his mother needed. He described how the use of technology for setting appointments and checking in with doctors made staying on top of her health care easy. Also, being able to use telemedicine allowed them to check in with doctors without Glenn’s mother having to leave home for appointments.

Coalition advocate Bonnielee is a health care worker who provides care to seniors. She discussed the notable difference in coverage for seniors with Medicare Advantage, versus original Medicare. Medicare Advantage provides better services and access to care, she said, which makes a difference in helping seniors stay healthy.

Coalition members Joe and Eric also explained how Medicare Advantage has improved their health. Eric is diabetic and suffers from considerable health issues including amputation and vision loss. He and Joe, his partner and caregiver, said Medicare Advantage plays a valuable role in keeping Eric’s care affordable. In fact, he was able to regain his sight thanks to a treatment covered by Medicare Advantage that we would otherwise have been unable to afford. This allowed him to see his grandchild for the first time.

Monte, another Coalition member, explained that he is on Medicare Advantage and is the caregiver for his father who also is on Medicare Advantage. When his father suffered a stroke, Medicare Advantage was there to help him recover. The better services and value Medicare Advantage provides keep seniors’ well-being top of mind, Monte said. He noted that the program also provides transportation to appointments and caps out-of-pocket costs.

To close, Coalition advocate Nancy shared that she is a caregiver. She agreed with Bonnielee that Medicare Advantage makes a big difference for her patients, providing better access to care, better services, and more attention, which she said helps them stay healthier.

“It’s good to see enthusiastic support like this,” Representative Obernolte said to the group. “I know how important it is for seniors to have choices when it comes to health care. Medicare Advantage saves the government money and provides better care.” He concluded by saying he will continue to fight for Medicare Advantage.

The CMC is grateful to Representative Obernolte for meeting with our Coalition members and advocates, and for his continued support of Medicare Advantage.