AOA, AANP, AND NMA Join Better Medicare Alliance
COALITION GROWS TO 31 ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE; ADDS LOCAL, STATE HEALTH AND BUSINESS GROUPS
Washington, D.C. – Twelve more organizations including representatives of nurse practitioners, osteopathic physicians, and African American physicians have joined the Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), a growing and diverse coalition dedicated to protecting and strengthening Medicare Advantage.
“These new allies demonstrate the growing strength and diversity of our coalition and bring important perspectives as providers, business and aging service agencies to our work in advocating for the value of MA. These ally organizations bring new thinking, experience, and on-the- ground evidence of how health care offered under MA plans works for millions of people. Together with current allies, BMA is in a strong position to offer the evidence of the value of MA through research, policy discussion, and the experience of beneficiaries,” said Allyson Y. Schwartz, President & CEO of Better Medicare Alliance.
Major national provider associations join BMA
The new allies include the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), the largest and only full-service national professional membership organization for nurse practitioners, American Osteopathic Association (AOA), the main representative organization for osteopathic physicians in the United States, the National Medical Association (NMA), the largest and oldest national organization representing African American physicians and their patients.
As The Voice of the Nurse Practitioner®, AANP represents the interests of over 205,000 NPs currently licensed in the U. S., including approximately 65,000 individual members and more than 200 organizations. AANP provides legislative leadership at the local, state and national levels, advancing health policy; promoting excellence in practice, education and research; and establishing standards that best serve NP patients and other health care consumers. In both primary care and chronic care, nurse practitioners play a crucial role in health care for seniors.
“AANP is proud to be a part of the Alliance. We look forward to working with the other BMA partners to advanced health care goals, providing high-quality, cost-effective, comprehensive, patient-centered care,” said Cindy Cooke, DNP, FNP-C, FAANP, President of AANP.
The AOA is the professional home of the nation’s more than 122,000 osteopathic medical students and physicians (DOs). Osteopathic physicians take a whole person approach to helping patients get healthy and stay well at every stage of life. Known for their focus on primary care, DOs have long supported efforts to ensure seniors have access to high-quality, patient-centered care.
“The osteopathic medical profession believes that the most effective health care system is built on a strong foundation of community-based primary care. Osteopathic medical practice centers on prevention, which is truly the highest value medicine for patients and society. By incentivizing good outcomes, we can transform the system to one that delivers better results for the 17 million seniors who depend on Medicare Advantage. We believe the Better Medicare Alliance’s goal to address primary care and integrated health care within Medicare aligns well with our own national strategic goals for improved patient care,” said John Becher, DO, President of AOA.
The NMA represents the interests of more than 30,000 African American physicians with nearly 112 affiliated societies throughout the nation and U.S. territories committed to improving the quality of health among minorities and medically underserved populations.
“Evidence shows that Medicare Advantage plans are popular options for low-income and minority beneficiaries – including 31 percent of African-American Medicare beneficiaries. Addressing access to care is a major focus for the National Medical Association as minorities who are disproportionally impacted with serious health conditions also historically face barriers in accessing quality health care coverage. We look forward to working with the Better Medicare Alliance to promote higher quality care critical to long-term health and well-being,” said Martin Hamlette, JD, MHA, Executive Director of the NMA.
BMA grows State and Local Stakeholders
Six of the new ally organizations are state and local member organizations from the states of Florida, Texas and New York. These organizations include the Florida Health Network, Area Agency on Aging of Palm Beach/Treasure Coast, Nurse-Practitioner Association of New York State, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Business Council of New York State, and the Texas Association of Business.
BMA also welcomes as new allies Iora Health, primary care provider groups headquartered in Boston with 11 facilities nationwide, Health Quality Partners (HQP), a non-profit research and development organization working to provide more effective systems of preventive care, located in Pa., and the International Council of Active Aging (ICAA), a professional association connecting professionals who develop wellness facilities, programs and services for adults over 50.
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Better Medicare Alliance | The Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) is a coalition of providers, plans, beneficiaries and advocates who support Medicare Advantage as an option under Medicare. Medicare Advantage offers quality, affordability and simplicity, with enhanced benefits to more than 17 million Medicare beneficiaries across the United States of America. BMA works to ensure the sustainability and stability of Medicare Advantage through information, research, education, and united support among stakeholders to strengthen this important coverage for seniors and the disabled. For more information please visit www.bettermedicarealliance.org.