Letter: Seniors and Health

Originally published in Spanish in El Tiempo

Through my work with the Latin Chamber of Congress, I have grown connected to many parts of the Hispanic community in Nevada. Although my work started with small business owners, I have since gotten to know all parts of the Hispanic community, including other seniors.

As an advocate for the Latinx community, and consistently working to improve the lives of my fellow older Nevadans, I have recently dedicated my time to promoting the benefits of Medicare Advantage, which not only improves health outcomes for seniors and provides dependable, affordable coverage, it also works to improve health disparities for the Latinx community.

Health care is an important issue for Latinx folks across the country. While we are the largest and fastest growing racial minority in America, we still face a number of setbacks when it comes to health. With higher rates of COVID-19 infections and a greater susceptibility to some chronic and serious health conditions, it is important that all members of the Hispanic community, particularly seniors, take the time to find quality health care coverage.

For seniors, there is one program that stands out in providing full-service coverage at a low cost. Medicare Advantage connects seniors with a variety of unique plans that offer robust coverage for a low premium. And with capped out-of-pocket costs, seniors are able to budget effectively for their health care.

As a Medicare Advantage beneficiary, myself, I can attest to the low costs, which do not come at any compromise to the services or benefits I can access. In fact, Medicare Advantage offers all the benefits of original Medicare, and more.

Whether you are interested in integrated dental, health, and vision benefits, transportation to and from appointments, prescription drug and grocery delivery services, or at-home caregiver support, Medicare Advantage can connect you with a plan that meets your specific needs. That is why 27 million seniors nationwide, and over 200,000 seniors in Nevada, choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage is working toward ending health disparities by specifically connecting minorities with quality coverage. Nearly half of all racial and ethnic minorities who are eligible for Medicare choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage plans. In addition, 40% of Medicare Advantage enrollees make less than $25,000 a year.

No other program is taking greater strides to improve senior health outcomes. For the Hispanic community in Nevada, Medicare Advantage is helping seniors across the state live healthier and happier.

Unfortunately, Congress is looking for ways to pay for the infrastructure package and Medicare Advantage could face cuts. Taking away from seniors health coverage is not the right move, especially as we try and move out of a pandemic.

I am very thankful for the ways Senator Cortez Masto and Senator Rosen have advocated for seniors in the past, especially through their support of Medicare Advantage. I am hopeful they will continue to promote the benefits of the program in Congress. They’ve shown that they are dedicated to improving the lives of seniors and protecting Medicare Advantage from cuts is another way to demonstrate this.

Otto Merida

Founder, Latin Chamber of Commerce