The Coalition for Medicare Choices Calls on Congress to Keep Health Care Affordable for Seniors

May 10, 2019

If the Health Insurance Tax goes into effect in 2020, Medicare Advantage premiums will go up $241 for every senior, every year. Through our HIT Seniors Week of Action, the Coalition for Medicare Choices is calling on Congress to stop this harmful tax and keep health care affordable for some of America’s most vulnerable.

Dear Members of Congress,

More than 23 million seniors and Americans with disabilities rely on Medicare Advantage every day. Many of them are on fixed incomes – sometimes less than $20,000 per year – and they can’t afford higher health care costs. The Coalition for Medicare Choices, the nation’s leading organization working on behalf of those with Medicare Advantage, strongly encourages you to take immediate action to delay the Health Insurance Tax (HIT).

If the HIT is not delayed before June, it’s likely that it will go into effect starting in 2020. That means Medicare Advantage premiums will go up an estimated $241 per senior next year. Seniors and Americans with disabilities rely on the better services, better value and better access to care that Medicare Advantage provides – including preventive care, prescription drug coverage, and caps on out-of-pocket costs.

Delaying the HIT will keep health care affordable for millions of America’s most vulnerable.

Seniors and Americans with disabilities are counting on you to protect their care and help them stay healthy. 93% of people with Medicare Advantage are satisfied with their coverage, and 92% would recommend it to their family and friends. They need you to keep Medicare Advantage the affordable and quality health care coverage they depend on and not allow their costs to go up hundreds of dollars.a

Thousands of seniors and Americans with disabilities have already reached out to ask you and Congress for your help. On their behalf – and on behalf of the more than 23 million Americans who rely on Medicare Advantage – please keep health care affordable. Take action now to delay the Health Insurance Tax.

Thank you,

Members of the Coalition for Medicare Choices

The Coalition for Medicare Choices (CMC) is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to preserving and strengthening Medicare Advantage. Its members include more than two million seniors and their families committed to communicating the benefits of Medicare Advantage and working with policymakers to protect it. More information can be found at www.medicarechoices.org, and those interested in staying up to date on CMC activity are encouraged to follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProtectMyMA.