Coalition Members Meet with Representative Leger Fernández

Five members of the Coalition for Medicare Choices (CMC) met virtually with Representative Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM-03), to discuss how Medicare Advantage provides better services, better access to care, and better value to seniors and people with disabilities.

Tracy, a Coalition member, said her favorite benefit of Medicare Advantage is the SilverSneakers fitness program. Tracy said she frequents three gyms in her neighborhood and that preventive care has been crucial to her overall health. She said she’s grateful that Medicare Advantage makes preventive care a focus and priority for seniors. Tracy added that Medicare Advantage is important for seniors because of the value the program provides.

Wanda, another Coalition member, described herself as a “super senior” having recently climbed to the top of Atalaya Peak in New Mexico at age 78. Wanda said she appreciated being able to keep her doctor after she and her husband switched to Medicare Advantage and that her plan takes helps them stay healthy when they are traveling. While on vacation in Florida, Wanda’s husband had a cardiac episode, but they quickly found an in-network hospital for the care he needed.

“If everybody had [Medicare Advantage], they’d be able to hike and enjoy life into their late 70s and 80s, like me,” Wanda said. “With Medicare Advantage, life begins at 70!”

Coalition member Janis told the group that “the only thing hard about Medicare Advantage is picking your plan,” because there are so many great options.

Coalition members George and Sheila said they like using the SilverSneakers program. George goes to the gym three to four times a week, but without Medicare Advantage, he likely wouldn’t pay for a membership, he said. “[We] like the peace of mind knowing that we’ll be taken care of, wherever we are,” Sheila added.

Representative Leger Fernández thanked everyone for joining the meeting. “Your stories help me to understand the issues. I’ll fight [for] it, I’ll raise it, but then when things go over to the Senate, we continue to get stuck, even on bipartisan issues and programs like Medicare Advantage,” Representative Leger Fernández said. “But I’ll keep fighting [for Medicare Advantage] and I’m very grateful for this meeting. Thank you so much for your time.”

The CMC is grateful to Representative Leger Fernández for meeting with our Coalition members and for her support of Medicare Advantage.