Letter: Medicare Advantage a vital tool for seniors

Originally published in the Fargo Forum, Grand Forks Herald, and the Bemidji Pioneer

Medicare Advantage has made a big difference for the senior population here in Minnesota by providing them with high-quality and affordable care.

As the executive director of the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging, I am constantly working to promote a simple vision: the idea that our older adults and community members can thrive as they age.

To do this, we work to increase knowledge, access and acceptance of services that seniors and their caregivers can use. One of the ways that we do this is by promoting quality health care, which is especially important for seniors who are more vulnerable to illness and injury. The program that we promote most often? Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Advantage has made a big difference for the senior population here in Minnesota by providing them with high-quality and affordable care. Because so many of the seniors we work with live on fixed or limited incomes, they often can’t afford to pay high price premiums. But Medicare Advantage premiums come out to an average monthly payment of just $19. With a range of care services that cover seniors’ versatile needs – from preventative care through post-surgery recovery – Medicare Advantage does it all to give seniors the tools they need to live a fulfilling life after retirement.

I am thankful to both Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith for their continued support of Medicare Advantage. It’s only with continued advocacy in Congress that we can see Medicare Advantage benefit Minnesota communities for years to come.

Darla Waldner is the executive director for the Dancing Sky Area Agency on Aging – which serves older adults, caregivers, persons with disabilities and home- and community-based providers in 21 counties throughout Northwest and West Central Minnesota.