In March, we were in Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and their staff to talk about something very personal to us: Medicare Advantage. We didn’t go as policy experts. We went as caregivers to our aging parents.
Both our parents are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. Like many of our peers, we’ve slowly taken on more responsibility as they’ve gotten older, from helping them manage their appointments and prescriptions to navigating the day-to-day challenges that come with aging.
It’s hard to explain how complicated that can be if you haven’t experienced it before. Between doctor visits, specialist appointments, medications, follow-ups, therapy, and home care, it can feel like a full-time job just trying to coordinate all of that across different programs and plans.
Medicare Advantage has helped make all that easier for our family. Plans coordinate care and cover a wider range of benefits than traditional Medicare. That includes vision and dental care, prescription drugs, and extra benefits ranging from transportation assistance to fitness programs. These things have helped our parents stay healthier and more engaged in their communities.
That’s why we went to Washington. We wanted lawmakers to understand that when they talk about Medicare Advantage funding, they aren’t just talking about a number in the federal budget. They are talking about real families like ours.
We also wanted to make sure our lawmakers know that we’re watching what happens in Washington. Although we were happy to see that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) increased funding for 2027, we’re concerned about proposals that could weaken the program. This includes bills like the No UPCODE Act, which has the potential to reduce the benefits that so many seniors take advantage of.
The cost of living, especially healthcare related costs, are on the rise. And with so many seniors on tight budgets, now is not the time to pull back on resources programs like Medicare Advantage.
This program works for our parents, and we know it works for so many across the Commonwealth and the country. We need our members of Congress, especially Rep. Vindman, and Senators Kaine and Warner, to make sure that seniors can access the quality care they can count on.