Press Releases
February 7, 2023

Better Medicare Alliance Statement on Biden’s State of the Union Commitment to Protect Medicare

WASHINGTON – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA), the nation’s leading research and advocacy organization representing a diverse coalition of stakeholders supporting Medicare Advantage, issued the following statement today following President Joe Biden’s remarks on protecting Medicare during the State of the Union address.

“We urge President Biden to honor his commitment to protect Medicare,” said Mary Beth Donahue, president and chief executive officer of Better Medicare Alliance. “Medicare Advantage is Medicare, and these benefits belong to the American people, including the 30 million seniors and people with disabilities who choose it. The administration’s massive proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage would threaten the high-quality, affordable care that beneficiaries depend on.”

Previously, citing potential negative implications for beneficiaries, BMA called on the administration to reconsider proposed cuts to Medicare Advantage released last week by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in its 2024 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice.

Learn the facts on Medicare Advantage:

Medicare Advantage is popular

  • Nearly half of the eligible Medicare population choose Medicare Advantage. That’s more that 30 million seniors and people with disabilities.

Medicare Advantage offers choice

  • 94% of America’s seniors on Medicare Advantage are satisfied with their coverage.
  • 9% of Medicare Advantage plans provide extra benefits unavailable in Traditional Medicare. Almost all plans offer dental, vision, hearing, and fitness coverage.
  • 95% of seniors on Medicare Advantage are satisfied with their network of hospitals, providers, and specialists.

Medicare Advantage saves patients money

  • Medicare Advantage beneficiaries spend nearly $2,000 less on out-of-pocket costs and premiums each year than Traditional Medicare enrollees.
  • 89% of beneficiaries say that Medicare Advantage saves them money on coverage compared to other options.
  • Medicare Advantage premiums in 2023 are projected to be on average $18 per month, an 8% decline from 2022 and a 16-year low.

Medicare Advantage saves American lives

  • The rate of avoidable hospitalizations is 43% lower for beneficiaries with Medicare Advantage.
  • Medicare Advantage beneficiaries had 23% fewer inpatient stays and 33% fewer emergency room visits compared to Traditional Medicare.
  • Medicare Advantage enrollees with type 2 diabetes are diagnosed nearly 5 months earlier than Traditional Medicare beneficiaries.

Find out more at dontcutmedicareadvantage.com

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Better Medicare Alliance is working to improve health care through a strong Medicare Advantage on behalf of more than 30 million Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Learn more at www.bettermedicarealliance.org

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