On July 25, the Center for Medicare Advocacy joined other advocates and members of Congress at a rally and press conference in Washington, DC highlighting harm caused by private Medicare Advantage plans, including wrongful delays and denials of care. The rally was hosted by Be A Hero, an advocacy group founded by Ady Barkan to support people with ALS and other disabling conditions and to champion access to quality health care. Others participating included a strong showing from the New York City Organization of Public Service Retirees and Social Security Works. The rally recognized the upcoming 58th anniversary of the Medicare program, with the aim of raising awareness of the obstacles to care beneficiaries face from private Medicare Advantage, as well as the undue costs of Medicare Advantage to the Medicare program.
Center for Medicare Advocacy Executive Director Judy Stein introduced Connecticut resident Megan Bent, who spoke at the press conference about her father, Gary Bent, who died last year after an insurmountable fight to receive necessary care under his Medicare Advantage plan. Ms. Stein’s comments in the accompanying press materials summarize the issue:
For decades Americans could count on real Medicare to provide coverage for health care. That’s changing as private Medicare Advantage plans take over. These private insurance plans are overpaid, with Medicare dollars, but provide less coverage and care. Inappropriate delays, denials, and limited access to health care providers are the norm in private Medicare Advantage. Families are hurting while insurance companies are profiting. Private Medicare Advantage is not an advantage for beneficiaries, the Medicare program, or taxpayers. It’s time to turn this around before it’s too late. End overpayments to private Medicare Advantage. Support and enhance real Medicare. Now.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) also spoke at the rally. “It is time to call out so-called Medicare Advantage for what it is. It’s private insurance that profits by denying coverage and using the name of Medicare to trick our seniors,” she said.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) emphasized the profit driven nature of private insurance as she spoke at the rally. “It’s all about the money,” Sen. Warren said. “Private insurers are in Medicare Advantage to play games to extract more money from the government.” She continued, “Medicare money should be spent to deliver services for people, not to boost profits for insurance companies. So, we’re here today to say let’s reclaim Medicare and keep it strong and healthy for generations to come. When we fight, we win, and Medicare is worth fighting for.”
The Center has long called for reforms to Medicare Advantage that would improve access to care while lowering costs for beneficiaries and the Medicare program. The Center is proud to partner with organizations like Be A Hero to help raise awareness of the problems with private Medicare Advantage and to continue to advocate for reforms that would improve real Medicare, health equity, and access to quality of care for all beneficiaries.
Be A Hero is organizing another Day of Action to Reclaim Medicare on July 30, 2023 to celebrate Medicare’s 58th Birthday. Find out how you can get involved from anywhere.