From Capitol Hill to Main Street: What Seniors Want Lawmakers to Know About Medicare Advantage
More than 35 million Americans choose Medicare Advantage for the affordable, high-quality, coordinated care it provides. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, these beneficiaries want lawmakers to know that protecting the program is a priority they will carry to the polls.
To prepare for and inform meetings on Capitol Hill with Beneficiary Advisory Council members Rob and Steven, Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) surveyed its nationwide network of seniors and asked two questions: Why is protecting affordable Medicare Advantage a top voting priority, and what would you want your elected representatives to know? Hundreds of seniors from coast to coast responded, and their answers tell a consistent story of fixed incomes, rising costs, and coverage they cannot afford to lose.
For David W. of McCormick, South Carolina, the link between his health care and his vote is direct: “As a retired American citizen living on a fixed income, keeping Medicare Advantage affordable is a top political priority for my vote.” Financial security was among the most common themes. Most seniors live on fixed incomes that fail to keep pace with rising costs, leaving little room to absorb higher prices at the grocery store, the gas pump, and the doctor’s office.
Lora T. of Poca, West Virginia, described the monthly balancing act: “I’m on a limited income and I need Medicare Advantage to be affordable, it’s so hard to pay for food, utilities and gas for the car.” Deborah H. of Elgin, Texas, put it in stark terms: “My income is $958 per month, and I pay $670 for rent and electric. We need Medicare Advantage to survive.” According to BMA’s 2026 Medicare Beneficiary Spending analysis, seniors in Medicare Advantage save an average of $2,824 each year on premiums and out-of-pocket costs compared to Fee-for-Service Medicare.
Others see their coverage as something they earned over a lifetime of work. Karen R. of Goose Creek, South Carolina, said her coverage matters “because medical costs keep increasing and my income doesn’t. I’ve paid into this all my life and we don’t deserve it to be taken away or reduced!” Lisa R. of Aiken, South Carolina, had a direct message for lawmakers: “As working people, we earned these benefits and continue to pay for them. None of this is being given to us for free.”
Medicare Advantage does more than ease the cost of care. For many seniors, it is what makes that care possible in the first place. Advantage plans frequently include benefits Fee-for-Service Medicare does not cover, such as dental care, transportation to appointments, and help purchasing healthy food. Deborah noted that her over-the-counter allowance “also helps me buy groceries every month.” That access becomes even more critical after a serious diagnosis or emergency. Sandra M. of Ninety Six, South Carolina, shared, “As a cancer survivor, I depend on Medicare Advantage to assist me in continuing treatments and medications.” After a fall, Sharon B. of Fresno, California, faced a $222,000 hospital bill. “If it weren’t for Medicare Advantage, I probably would’ve lost my house,” she said. “It’s a Godsend.”
For some, the stakes could not be higher. Juanita C. of Jacksonville, Florida, warned that losing her coverage “could mean the difference between living independently, or in a nursing facility, or at the mercy of a loved one.” It is no surprise that 95% of Medicare Advantage beneficiaries report satisfaction with their quality of care, and seniors on fixed incomes are watching Washington closely. Lisa R. of Aiken, South Carolina, made clear what that means at the ballot box: “I will not support any candidate or party who wants to destroy Medicare and Social Security. I worked for it, contributed to it and earned it.”
Too often, policy debates in Washington lose sight of the seniors who count on Medicare Advantage to stay healthy, independent, and financially secure. Better Medicare Alliance will keep elevating their voices, and as Barb T. of Buffalo, New York, urged, “Everyone needs to speak up and let them know just how important it is.” If you are a Medicare Advantage Beneficiary, Better Medicare Alliance encourages you to speak up, share your experience, and help protect the future of this vital program.