Valley Action has joined forces with Indivisibles in Northampton and in New York State and we have succeeded in mobilizing others to Save Medicare against its privatization by the misnamed Medicare “Advantage” program.
Medicare Advantage plans are bad for individuals (with pre-authorizations, limited networks, etc.) and very bad financially for the whole country because they divert public money to shareholder dividends away from paying for actual medical care. And these plans are on a trajectory to bankrupt the Medicare system if left unchecked.
Here are some key actions to take right now.
ACTION 1
Listen and share this informative interview that showcases our grassroots efforts.
Valley Action’s own Elaine Fronhofer, along with fellow guest Don Berwick (who was President Obama’s Director of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) were recently interviewed on WXOJ-LP, Valley Free Radio’s “CARE TALK” program about the problems with the “Advantage” program and the risks it poses to all of us. Their fact-filled discussion explained the threat that the program poses to traditional Medicare and offered solutions.
Because the biggest challenge we face is the lack of awareness about this threat to Medicare, one valuable action is to listen to this engaging interview and then share it widely.
Link to recording of CARE TALK Podcast. April 26, 2024.
ACTION 2
Support the Save Medicare Act (HR.732)
The Save Medicare Act would rename Medicare Advantage to “the Alternative Private Health Program.” Most people do not understand that choosing an Advantage Plan means you are signing up for a private insurance company plan that is almost entirely a for-profit model, and that then you will not be entitled to many important benefits available only in Traditional Medicare. Seniors and people with disabilities deserve to have transparency when choosing their health care plan. While much more needs to be done, this bill is a good first step.
Call your U.S. Rep. and tell them:
1) why you support HR.732,
2) ask them to cosponsor the bill, and
3) ask them to do everything in their power to get it passed.
(After leaving your message, please also send an email to your U.S. Representative using this link provided by Indivisible National.)
ACTION 3
Write a letter to let people know that Donald Trump plans to end Traditional Medicare if he gets elected.
If he wins in November, Trump and the MAGA Republicans are planning to completely privatize Medicare – increasing the profits of private health insurance companies while decimating the quality of health care seniors and people with disabilities receive, and weakening the overall Medicare system too.
According to Rolling Stone, Trump intends to make Medicare Advantage the default program for all people who are newly eligible for Medicare.
Follow the link below to Indivisible National’s Letter to the Editor writing campaign. Using their guidance, learn how to write about Medicare Advantage and what’s at stake in the upcoming Presidential election.
https://act.indivisible.org/lte/maga-plan-privatize-medicare
Want to learn more or get more involved?
Sign up now for this June 3rd, 8:00 pm webinar where you will hear from our own Senator Elizabeth Warren titled “Taking Advantage: How corporate health insurers harm America's seniors,” sponsored by PNHP (Physicians for a National Health Program).