Letter: Thankful for Senator Cassidy’s support of Medicare Advantage

Originally published in the Webster Parish Journal and Louisiana Policy Review

As a retired registered nurse, I know how important it is to have high-quality, affordable health care coverage and the role that it plays in improving patient outcomes. After all, I have seen this firsthand. Thankfully, there is a program that meets the health needs of many seniors like me, now in retirement, without breaking our budgets—Medicare Advantage.

Medicare Advantage is a public-private partnership and offers choice while delivering value for seniors, providing comprehensive coverage, access to first-rate providers, and a range of additional benefits not offered in original Medicare, with a low monthly premium. As senior and retiree who recently transitioned to living on a fixed income and spending account, one of the things I appreciate most about Medicare Advantage is the cap on out-of-pocket expenses.

There’s no wonder why nearly 31 million people across the country, including half of Louisiana’s Medicare eligible seniors, are enrolled. Medicare Advantage plans also focus on preventative care by more effectively working to identify and treat chronic diseases early, avoiding unnecessary hospital trips and helping us take greater control of our health journey.

As policymakers continue to look for ways to improve America’s health care system, it is important that Medicare Advantage is not overlooked. Our elected officials need to make sure our voices are heard and advocate for programs like Medicare Advantage that work for Louisiana’s seniors.

That is why I would like to thank Senator Bill Cassidy for standing up for Medicare Advantage by signing onto a bipartisan letter with 60 of his Senate colleagues in support of the program. His support has gone a long way in making health care accessible and affordable for Louisiana’s seniors, with over 458,000 enrolled in Medicare Advantage here in the Bayou State.

Medicare Advantage’s structure, where all offerings, including dental, vision, and hearing coverage, are housed under one umbrella, makes navigating the health care system much easier. We need more programs like this, especially at a time when so many Americans count on it.

Lu Jones