Reclaim Medicare from Corporate Greed

Medicare Advantage has failed to live up to its promise of reducing costs through better care management.

LIVE: Be a Hero hosts Press Conference to #ReclaimMedicare from corporate greed.

Medicare Advantage has failed to live up to its promise of reducing costs through better care management.

Join us: https://t.co/whv6PAEYgqhttps://t.co/0eqJ6Tz60U

— Be a Hero (@BeaHero) July 25, 2023

On Tuesday, July 25, 2023, Democratic US lawmakers joined senior citizens, people with disabilities, and healthcare campaigners at a Capitol Hill press conference to kick off a week of action demanding Congress move to stop abuses by so-called Medicare Advantage programs peddled by profiteering insurance companies and “reclaim Medicare.”

“We are here to raise the alarm about Medicare Advantage. We are here to protect our Medicare,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said to robust applause.

“This year, for the very first time, more than half of all beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage instead of traditional Medicare,” she continued. “But Medicare Advantage substitutes private insurance companies for traditional Medicare coverage, and that private coverage is failing both Medicare beneficiaries and taxpayers.”

“It’s all about the money,” Warren said. “Private insurers are in Medicare Advantage to play games to extract more money from the government.”

“Experts estimate that Medicare Advantage insurers will receive more than $75 billion in overpayments this year alone, and that’s the real punch to the gut,” she continued. “Not only do Medicare Advantage insurers rip off the government, they routinely deny care to patients who need it.”

“Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on Medicare deserve better,” the senator affirmed. “We can strengthen traditional Medicare, and by doing that, we can save money and we can use some of those savings to expand benefits, like hearing, dental, and vision… and add an out-of-pocket cap for all beneficiaries… and lower the eligibility age for Medicare.”

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) said that “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.”

Read the full story at www.commondreams.org/news/medicare-advantage.

Reprinted courtesy of commondreams.org