WASHINGTON, D.C. – (September 1, 2021) – Medicare Advantage provides 27 million seniors and people with disabilities with better services, better access to care, and better value than traditional Medicare. And as Congress turns its attention to a budget plan intended to bolster the safety net in America, it’s important to ensure Medicare Advantage is not targeted to pay for other government spending. That’s the message in a new Washington Examiner op-ed penned by AHIP president and CEO Matt Eyles, which ran today.
Lawmakers are considering using Medicare Advantage to pay for adding new dental, vision, and hearing benefits in traditional Medicare. These are important benefits, but adding them to Medicare Part B is duplicative and paying for them by cutting Medicare Advantage benefits is unfair to the tens of millions of seniors who actively choose to enroll in Medicare Advantage.
“The 27 million seniors and people with disabilities are once again counting on Congress to protect Medicare Advantage. Congress should not jeopardize an efficient, effective, and popular health care program that serves so many Americans for their coverage and care,” Eyles said.
Medicare Advantage is a prime example of the government and free market working together to deliver lower costs, more choices, and better outcomes for the American people. Congress should not make the mistake of undermining the program and rescinding the promise it has made to the millions of Americans who have chosen Medicare Advantage plans.
About AHIP
AHIP is the national association whose members provide health care coverage, services, and solutions to hundreds of millions of Americans every day. We are committed to market-based solutions and public-private partnerships that make health care better and coverage more affordable and accessible for everyone. Visit www.ahip.org to learn how working together, we are Guiding Greater Health.