Advocates Call on Washington to Protect Medicare Advantage in 2019

The Coalition for Medicare Choices’ (CMC) two million advocates are sending emails to their members of Congress and ramping up pressure on Washington to protect Medicare Advantage. More than 15,000 emails have been sent asking members of Congress to take a stand for the program and protect it from harmful changes and funding cuts.

These advocacy efforts come in advance of The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services’ (CMS) annual rate notice letter. Over the next few weeks, CMS will propose changes to the Medicare Advantage program. Any harmful changes proposed may limit health coverage to millions, resulting in reduced benefits and higher premiums.

CMC advocates—many of them beneficiaries themselves—recognize the value that Medicare Advantage brings. Sometimes sharing personal stories of how the program has helped, CMC advocates aim to educate members of Congress on the critical role that the program plays.

Unlike traditional Medicaid, most Medicare Advantage plans offer additional benefits like vision and dental coverage without additional costs. This allows the program to deliver better services, better care, and better value to Americans who have an income of less than $20,000.

Currently, more than 23 million Americans 65+ and people with disabilities have stable and affordable health care coverage through Medicare Advantage, and 93 percent of them are satisfied with that.