House and Senate Republicanleaders sent a letter yesterday urging policymakers to protect seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage. CMSrecently proposed additional cuts to Medicare Advantage. This is on top of a nearly 10 percent cut over the last two years. The letter notes that cuts to Medicare Advantage have hurt seniors through reduced benefits, fewer choices, and increased costs.
“We are troubled by the policies in this regulation, which we believe will lead to millions of seniors facing fewer choices, higher costs, and plan cancellations,” the letter says. “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.”
The letter was signed by Speaker of the House John Boehner, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, House Republican Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers, House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Paul Ryan, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, and Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch.
The House and Senate leaders note that nearly one third of seniors choose Medicare Advantage for quality, affordable care and that many of those enrolled in the program are low-income and minority beneficiaries. “According to the Congressional Research Service, MA plans serve a greater percentage of low-income and minority beneficiaries than fee-for-service Medicare—so cuts to the program disproportionally impact these populations,” the letter says. “By many measures, the MA program provides higher-quality and more coordinated care than traditional fee-for-service Medicare.”
This letter adds to a growing number of voices urging CMS to protect seniors in Medicare Advantage, including a bipartisan group of 53 senators and a broad array of providers, stakeholders, and seniors across the country mobilizing to protect their benefits. Final payment rates are expected on April 6, 2015.
The Coalition recently launched a new grassroots and ad campaign to protect Medicare Advantage seniors. The CMC’s 1.8 million seniors are writing letters and emails, making phone calls, attending events and engaging on social media to urge policymakers to protect Medicare Advantage as they consider policies that could impact their coverage. The new ads feature the personal stories of CMC members discussing how Medicare Advantage has allowed them to keep what matters most.
The Coalition is working to elevate the voices of Medicare Advantage seniors. Learn how to make your voice heard.