Press Release
Pennsylvania Seniors Speak Out Against Medicare Advantage Cuts;
U.S. Senate to vote soon on legislation that would cut $841 million from Medicare Advantage program in Pennsylvania
WASHINGTON, July 8, 2008 — Seniors across Pennsylvania are speaking out against proposed cuts to the Medicare Advantage program in legislation being considered in the U.S. Senate. The legislation (H.R. 6331) would cut $841 million from the Medicare Advantage program in Pennsylvania alone and severely cut back the areas where Medicare private fee-for-service plans can operate, adversely impacting the 100,000 Pennsylvania seniors enrolled in these plans.
Pennsylvania seniors enrolled in Medicare Advantage are sharing their stories about the value their plan provides and expressing their strong opposition to the proposed Medicare Advantage cuts.
Frank Wagner, Philadelphia, PA
"I am happy with every part of my Medicare Advantage plan. My wife and I have been well taken care of in the past. My wife has an operation coming up on July 17th and we were fortunate to only pay the minimal co-payments."
Louis Calzi, Glenside, PA
"Last year I had two operations, one for a bleeding ulcer and another for a stint put in - both were major operations that I only paid a minimal co-pay for because of my Medicare Advantage plan. I'm very happy with my plan and upset that Congress is trying to sabotage us."
Claire Fuller, Williamsport, PA
"I just turned 65 and am new to Medicare Advantage but I was so happy after my invasive knee surgery a couple months ago. The doctors were so nice and helpful and after one month I was fully recovered and could garden again. I still have not paid one cent for my surgery and do not want to switch my Medicare plan."
More than 800,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Pennsylvania currently rely on Medicare Advantage to meet their health care needs. These plans offer additional benefits and services that are not available in traditional Medicare, including reduced out-of-pocket costs; $0-premium comprehensive drug coverage; vision, hearing, and dental coverage; wellness programs; and disease management and care coordination programs. Medicare Advantage enrollees save an average of $90 per month - through improved benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs - compared to what they would pay in traditional Medicare.
A recent survey found that most seniors, including those in traditional Medicare, opposed cutting Medicare Advantage to fund the physician fix and believe these cuts would have a negative impact on Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. Click here to learn more about this survey: http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=23678.
America's Health Insurance Plans - Providing Health Benefits to More Than 200 Million Americans
CONTACT: Robert Zirkelbach, +1-202-778-8493, for AHIP
Web Site: http://www.ahip.org/
