Letter: Medicare Advantage Supports Our Communities

Originally published in the IE Voice

Supporting members of my community has always been a significant part of my life. From my days as a teacher and coach, I spent most of my career working in our local education system to help children grow and thrive. But far too often we forget the caring for our communities means offering support at every stage of life, including dedicating time and resources to supporting our older friends and family.

Seniors face many challenges as they age, and health care is certainly one of them. Acting as the caregiver for several of my own family members, I have witnessed the successes and shortcomings of the health care services available to seniors.

Every day, I am so grateful that my elderly family members are enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Advantage has been essential in providing seniors and individuals with disabilities the quality of health care that they need at an affordable price. Accessing high-quality health care should never be in question for seniors, and thanks to Medicare Advantage, enrolled seniors can rest assured they will be able to use all the benefits and services they need without paying absurd premiums or out-of-pocket costs.

What my family loves about Medicare Advantage is that even for incredibly low premiums, seniors are not asked to sacrifice any of the benefits they need to feel healthy. In fact, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries can access an even greater array of services that those on original Medicare.

This program is not just about meeting physical health needs. It’s about giving seniors peace of mind that they are supported and cared for, which means family members like me who are acting as caregivers can feel peace of mind as well. Without this program, families like mine would have to worry if our parents, grandparents, and loved ones are getting the care that they need.

As a life-long advocate for supporting the communities I am a part of, I encourage our representatives in Congress to fight for Medicare Advantage. This program works to meet the needs of our seniors across the country and has become a critical part of nearly 3 million seniors’ lives here in California. Any potential cuts to the funding of this program could result in critical health care coverage suddenly becoming out of reach.

Editor’s Note: Sherman Garnett is a Trustee of the Upland Unified School District.