CMC Seniors Showcase Medicare Advantage as Top Priority in 2024 Election

Throughout the election season, seniors from the Coalition for Medicare Choices (CMC) made Medicare Advantage (MA) a top priority on the campaign trail, sending a clear message to candidates from both parties about the importance of protecting seniors’ access to high-quality, affordable health coverage choices through MA.

Why it matters: More than 33 million seniors and people with disabilities nationwide choose MA because it is the part of Medicare that provides them with better care at a lower cost. Following two consecutive years of cuts to MA that are now harming millions of seniors’ coverage options and affordability, MA beneficiaries, caregivers, and other advocates made their voices heard—urging candidates to keep the bipartisan promise to protect and strengthen MA.

On the Campaign Trail:

CMC members maintained a steady, highly visible presence on the 2024 campaign trail, attending rallies and events, meeting directly with campaign officials, and visiting local party and campaign offices to emphasize the importance of MA for senior voters.

CMC seniors Jeanie Kirsch, David Kirsch, Sheryl Tudjan and Randy Tudjan attended a campaign rally for President Trump in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

CMC senior Gary Stark attended a fundraiser for Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI-7) in Michigan.

Amplifying Their Voices:

CMC advocates also asked candidates to pledge their support for MA by penning op-eds and letters to the editor published in prominent news outlets.

Ana Wood, an MA beneficiary and board member of the Las Vegas Asian Chamber of Commerce, wrote in the Las Vegas Sun:

• “Nevada seniors cannot afford partisanship. Medicare Advantage has strong bipartisan support because it shows that public-private partnerships work to deliver lower costs, more choices, and better outcomes for our parents and grandparents.

Mary Van Handel, a CMC senior from Wisconsin, wrote in The Cap Times:

• “Seniors like me are paying attention in this election, and we need leaders advocating for us. As we barrel toward the upcoming election, I urge our candidates to emphasize Medicare Advantage’s critical role in seniors’ access to care and commit to protecting the program.”

Support from Third Parties:

Throughout the fall, third-party allies, and CMC advocates also helped voice strong support for MA. For example:

• The Arizona Public Health Association published a blog post on their website, outlining MA’s positive impact on more than 33 million seniors and people with disabilities.
• Nevada Lieutenant Governor Stavros Anthony joined a roundtable with President Donald Trump and followed up with a letter to emphasize the value of MA to senior voters in the state.

On Capitol Hill:

CMC members participated in briefing for key congressional staff in Washington, where Pennsylvania senior Kenneth Cox, and his wife and caregiver, Clarice Cox, shared their powerful story of how MA coverage has brought them better health and financial stability.

Kenneth, a cancer survivor and knee replacement recipient, said:

• “Medicare Advantage was there all the way. I knew they had my back, and that was pretty important to know that somebody was going to cover the financial aspect of it, and somebody was going to give me the ability to deal with the health aspects of it.”

Clarice, who is a caregiver for both her husband Kenneth and her mother, said:

• “I came here today to let lawmakers know that Medicare Advantage is invaluable to me as a caregiver. It has provided numerous resources for me as a caregiver to ensure that our family is not financially burdened by high costs.”

The bottom line: CMC seniors, caregivers and other advocates mobilized throughout the election season to ensure candidates and elected officials in both political parties understand that millions of seniors are watching to ensure they keep the promise to protect MA.