Letter: Medicare Advantage is the health solution we need

Originally published in the Colorado Hometown Weekly

I have spent decades working in Democratic politics, including serving as the Chair of the Colorado Democrats. I still hold many of the same dreams and ideals for the Democratic Party.

One of those lifelong dreams has been to advance the accessibility of quality, affordable health care to every group of Americans, particularly individuals from vulnerable communities such as our seniors. When people retire, health care coverage becomes one of the most important decisions made by an individual. And with the complicated network that is our healthcare system, it can often be overwhelming to find a plan that fits your budget and meets your needs.

That is why, in my pursuit to connect more seniors with quality health care, I have become such a strong advocate for Medicare Advantage. From personal experience looking for a health care plan, I had a few priorities in mind and only Medicare Advantage met and exceeded them.

One of the most significant aspects of changing my plan when retiring was being able to keep my primary care doctor and specialists. With Medicare Advantage, the coverage is so wide that it was easy to maintain my relationship with doctors who are familiar with my health needs. For seniors, this is especially helpful as we have built relationships with our doctors.

Beyond this, looking at costs was also very important. Seniors so often live on fixed or limited incomes, and we cannot spend our entire income on a healthcare coverage plan. But with Medicare Advantage, the cap on out-of-pocket costs is very reassuring because I know that any unexpected medical procedure or treatment wouldn’t force me to spend all my savings. And with low premiums that average just $19 per month, Medicare Advantage really is an amazing value.

There are a number of other benefits that have also been highlights of my coverage. From integrated vision, dental and hearing benefits to wellness programs and gym memberships, in addition to companion care and prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage is actively tackling the health care challenges that seniors are facing.

Everyone should feel that their health care coverage is addressing their priorities, and I can say with confidence that no other health care insurance option so clearly meets my needs than Medicare Advantage. In a complicated world of healthcare coverage, Medicare Advantage makes health care easy and accessible, exactly what it should be.

I know we still have a long way to go when it comes to the health care goals we set out to achieve, but that doesn’t mean we haven’t made huge leaps forward. One of those being the consistently increasing enrollment numbers for Medicare Advantage. With more than 28 million seniors and those with disabilities now part of the program, it’s clear something is working.

Now, what we need is for legislators in Congress to continue building up this program and showcasing the good it is doing to support Coloradans and seniors across the country. My hope is that Sen. Bennet and Sen. Hickenlooper will help lead that charge and advocate strongly for Medicare Advantage.

Patricia Waak has been a wellness advocate since the 1960s. She is a registered nurse, psychotherapist and holds a doctorate in spirituality. From 2005 to 2011, she served as Chair of the Colorado Democratic Party.