Policymakers Must Protect and Strengthen Medicare Advantage

Christine Maroulis Published: February 7, 2024

I've dedicated most of my life to working in and advocating for healthcare, and I’ve seen firsthand the value that access to high-quality healthcare services and life-saving medical technologies provides for seniors and people with disabilities. For these medically vulnerable groups, affordable, quality healthcare isn’t a luxury; it is a necessity.

Fortunately, as tens of millions of seniors nationwide have come to find, Medicare Advantage—an alternative to traditional Fee-For-Service Medicare—helps seniors more effectively and cost-efficiently access the crucial healthcare services and support they need to live healthier, more active lives. By reducing costs and expanding access to care, particularly in rural and other underserved communities, Medicare Advantage plays an essential role in healthcare delivery in America.

As our leaders in Washington, D.C., make decisions regarding Medicare funding and rate levels for 2024—which will inevitably impact Medicare Advantage and its beneficiaries—they must work to protect and support a stable program that can keep up with both growing enrollment and the increasing demand for high-quality healthcare in our communities.

As Arizona’s population continues to age, healthcare access and affordability will become even more important. Congress and those setting policy at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) should work together to ensure Medicare Advantage can remain a vital part of our healthcare system, providing seniors and individuals with disabilities with a high-quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare option—now and for years to come.