Please protect Medicare Advantage from unnecessary and harmful cuts

Dear Editor,

There has been a lot of talk in Washington, D.C. about cutting Medicare Advantage. I want to make sure that the lawmakers who support those cuts know how much it would hurt seniors like me. After years of working and contributing our fair share, we shouldn’t have to worry about losing the health benefits we rely on because some Members of Congress think cutting Medicare Advantage would be a good way to save money.

I’m a retiree who moved here from Washington last year. I have early-stage Parkinson’s disease, but I’m still able to stay active thanks in part to the wellness benefits and preventative care I get through Medicare Advantage. My plan, like most, also includes prescription drug coverage as well as vision, hearing, and dental benefits. That’s more than can be said for traditional Medicare plans.

That’s why I don’t understand why some lawmakers keep pushing harmful cuts that could weaken Medicare Advantage. The No UPCODE Act is one bill that would do this. If passed, the bill could lead to fewer benefits and higher costs for seniors. Additionally, the bill would reduce or eliminate access to in-home assessments for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries, a powerful tool doctors use to identify health issues or safety concerns before they lead to emergencies.

These kinds of cost-cutting schemes threaten the well-being of real people. Our lawmakers need to understand what’s a stake—and they need to know that seniors like me are watching. Please protect Medicare Advantage from unnecessary and harmful cuts.

Kelly Cruden