For Immediate Release:
7/20/23
Contacts:
Claire Sandberg, claire@beaherofund.com, 646-641-6431
Linda Benesch, lbenesch@socialsecurityworks.org, 240-342-4301
Media Advisory: Medicare Advantage Patients and Families Join Members of Congress to Call for an End to Wrongful Delays and Denials
Washington, D.C.—On Tuesday July 25th, 4:30 pm Eastern at the House Triangle, Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee, Lloyd Doggett, as well as Medicare Advantage enrollees, seniors, and advocates will hold a press conference highlighting the threat of wrongful delays and denials in privatized Medicare Advantage plans, ahead of the 58th anniversary of the creation of Medicare on July 30th.
In attendance will be Connecticut resident Megan Bent, whose father, Gary Bent, died last year after a prolonged fight to receive necessary care under his private Medicare Advantage plan. She will be joined by New Hampshire resident Jen Coffey, who will speak to the barriers she has faced receiving cancer treatment under her UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plan.
Also attending will be over 50 New York City public retirees, who are fighting to stop being placed onto a private Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.
After the press conference, speakers and additional leaders and experts will be available to press to discuss the issue and needed legislative and executive reforms to ensure patients get the care they need. As widespread problems with Medicare Advantage have recently come to light, there have been increased calls for congressional and executive branch action to reform the program. An industry that until recently enjoyed unquestioned bipartisan support is suddenly controversial.
WHAT:
Press conference to call for action to stop wrongful delays and denials in private Medicare Advantage plans, to end to fraudulent overpayments, and to mandate accountability for the worst actors who hurt patients.
WHERE:
House Triangle, Washington DC
WHEN:
Tuesday, July 25th at 4:30 p.m. Eastern
WHO:
Rep. Pramila Jayapal7th District of Washington;
Rep. Katie Porter 47th District of California;
Rep. Barbara Lee13th District of California
Rep. Lloyd Doggett37th District of Texas
Megan Bent, Daughter of Gary Bent, who died after being denied care through his naviHealth (UnitedHealthcare) Medicare Advantage plan. Megan’s mother, Gloria, testified about their family’s ordeal in a recent Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations (PSI) hearing held by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT.)
Jen Coffey, Medicare Advantage enrollee and cancer patient who has faced barriers to receiving care under her UnitedHealthcare plan.
Additional members of Congress TBD