Seniors’ Voices Lead the Way: Advocating for Medicare Advantage in Washington
As health care policy discussions continue in Washington, two recent advocacy events highlighted how senior and ally voices are shaping the conversation around protecting Medicare Advantage during this critical period.
Allies Hear Policy Insights from Former House Speaker
Former Speaker of the House John Boehner recently participated in a policy discussion with Better Medicare Alliance allies. As Congress considers health care funding priorities, Speaker Boehner offered both historical context and personal perspective.
“I’m a Medicare Advantage participant. I know how the program works. I was one of the engineers who helped to put this together in the late 1990’s. It’s a great program. It works for seniors,” Boehner shared.
Speaker Boehner emphasized that as Congress works on budget reconciliation, beneficiary testimonials will be crucial in the coming months. He said seniors should be the messengers communicating how Medicare Advantage is delivering care for them.
Oklahoma Stakeholders Meet with Rep. Kevin Hern’s Office
The power of coordinated advocacy was on display during a virtual meeting with Representative Kevin Hern’s (R-Okla.) staff. The event, officially hosted by John Collison, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Rural Association, brought together diverse Medicare Advantage stakeholders.
Participants offering supportive perspectives included Shruti Kulkarni from Amplifon, Marty Fuller from Union Mutual Insurance, former Tulsa County Republican Party Chair Ronda Vuillemont-Smith, and Medicare Advantage beneficiary Bob Jack, who shared his experience with Medicare Advantage after more than 50 years in the construction industry.
The discussion underscored the importance of both beneficiary voices and perspectives of key Medicare Advantage stakeholders in informing congressional decision-making about Medicare Advantage.
Looking Forward
As policy discussions continue, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are making their voices heard. With over 59,000 letters this year alone, seniors are letting their elected representatives know how important Medicare Advantage is to them. America’s seniors need affordable, quality health care, and they are counting on Congress to protect Medicare Advantage.