Congressman Joe Garcia Joins Fellow House Members Urging Administration to Protect Medicare Advantage for Seniors

Washington, DC – As part of his efforts to protect Medicare, Congressman Joe Garcia spoke on the House floor yesterday afternoon in strong opposition to the administration’s proposed cuts to Medicare. On April 7th, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is scheduled to release their final rule on payment rates for Medicare Advantage. Over the past few weeks Rep. Garcia has spoken with the President personally to communicate his strong support for the program, as well as his strong opposition to any proposed cuts by CMS.  Earlier in the week, Congressman Garcia also met with top level officials expressing his concerns over the cuts to these vital services, urging them to find alternative solutions in an effort to protect our seniors.

Additionally, Garcia has worked with Colleagues on both sides of the aisle, issuing a letter (text below) to the administration, urging the same.

“For half a century, Medicare has lifted millions of seniors out of poverty and provided them with the health care they need and deserve,” expressed Garcia. “It is our responsibility to strengthen and modernize Medicare to ensure that it continues to provide our nation’s seniors – who have rightfully earned their benefits – the high quality care they depend on.”

Currently, about 28% of Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantaged plans. These programs have an approval rating of over 90% and planned cuts would have a devastating effect on seniors.

“In my district, I have heard first hand from so many seniors how well Medicare is serving them.  This is not a political or partisan issue, this is an issue about people” Garcia said.

Currently, Medicare Advantage offers seniors and individuals with disabilities additional choices for high quality and coordinated care in their communities. Specifically, the plan offers lower out-of-pocket costs than traditional Medicare does and often includes more benefits, such as dental, acupuncture or health club memberships. Additionally, and perhaps more importantly, these benefits help with disease prevention and management, and without them, our nation’s most vulnerable would suffer greatly. A cut to these essential services would mean higher premiums, a reduction in benefits and services, and even loss of coverage.