MEDICARE ADVANTAGE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT IN CONGRESS GROWS
Washington, D.C. – Better Medicare Alliance (BMA) President and CEO Allyson Y. Schwartz released the following statement in response to letters to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma signed by 66 members of the U.S. Senate and 302 members of the U.S. House of Representatives urging support for Medicare Advantage:
“We are very pleased by the strong show of support for Medicare Advantage in the new Congress from both parties, with 368 signers on the rate notice letter, including 65 freshmen members of Congress.
“The number of Members and Senators are an increase from 2018 and demonstrates a consistent and growing bipartisan supermajority in Congress in support for Medicare Advantage. The letter expressed recognition for the role Medicare Advantage plays in meeting the needs of today’s Medicare beneficiaries and in offering innovations for the future.
“In the past year, we have seen not only record enrollment in Medicare Advantage, but also growing evidence of the success of Medicare Advantage in improving health outcomes at affordable costs for millions of Americans.
“Medicare Advantage premiums are projected to decrease by six percent this year as Medicare Advantage plans and providers are expected to make strides in chronic disease management by addressing social determinants of health with improved telehealth, nutrition, transportation services.
“The progress we see in Medicare Advantage leading the way towards modern, value-driven health care delivery is due to the stability the program has experienced in the last few years. Wide support for the value of Medicare Advantage shown by Congress again this year offers opportunities to build on this bipartisan support to continue to modernize health care through Medicare Advantage. Medicare Advantage has a 92% satisfaction rate among beneficiaries, is widely valued by providers and health leaders, and continues to be one of the few areas where there is bipartisan support in Congress in spite of the highly-polarized political environment.
“Better Medicare Alliance thanks Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) and Representatives Tony Cardenas (D-CA), Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Mike Kelly (R-PA) for their leadership galvanizing support for Medicare Advantage among their colleagues on behalf of nearly 22 million beneficiaries nationwide.”
Find Senate letter for Support here.
Find House letter for Support here.
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