Let’s preserve vital Medicare program

As an owner of two Snap Fitness locations in Oregon City and Canby, I work to keep my local community healthy, in shape and better equipped to fight off illness and injury. I’ve seen firsthand how important exercise is for those 65 and older, especially, as I work with a number of Medicare Advantage seniors whose lives have drastically improved as a result of the free gym memberships included in their plans.

Medicare Advantage has provided a gateway to healthier lifestyles for our local seniors. Because of the gym benefit included, many of them are stronger and less likely to risk serious injuries from falls. Better yet, growing old can be lonesome, but I’m reassured by the community they’ve created amongst themselves.

A program that emphasizes staying active to prevent the need for future care is hard to come by, but Medicare Advantage beats the odds. Seniors enjoy healthier lifestyles which in turn can help reduce health care costs overall. Every year Congress reviews and refines which benefits should be included for the following year.

As someone who has seen firsthand the value that seniors receive from Medicare Advantage, I strongly endorse its continuation. Congressman Schrader has been a consistent leader on health care and hope he and his colleagues will continue to work to preserve this vital program for America’s seniors.

Russ Harshberger

Happy Valley

Originally published in the Oregon City News