State Senator Craig Richardson is calling on legislators in Congress to protect Medicare Advantage for Kentucky seniors as proposed bills come up for their consideration.
In an article penned by the senator, he says that Medicare Advantage gives seniors dependable coverage, lowers costs, and helps people stay healthy and independent, saying that program matters in Kentucky in a big way. He says, “While access to care is a major factor, I also hear from seniors who depend on the program for their prescription drugs. Others rely on it for vision or dental care that traditional Medicare doesn’t cover. Some count on transportation to appointments or in-home health check-ins. These services keep people healthy and safe. They also help prevent bigger health problems and bigger bills down the road.”
The senator says that despite the understanding of how vital these benefits are, there are currently legislative proposals in Congress that would lead to higher costs and fewer benefits, such as the No UPCODE Act.
The bill would cut funding to Medicare Advantage by limiting the in-home assessments that plans use to catch problems early.
Senator Richardson says, “Cuts like that don’t hurt bureaucrats. They hurt people in places like Greenville, Princeton, and Hopkinsville. They hurt older Kentuckians living on fixed incomes, many of whom already struggle with rising costs.”
He says he hopes our congressional delegation keeps Medicare Advantage out of the line of fire, as seniors in Kentucky have earned these benefits.
He calls on Kentucky’s entire federal delegation to oppose the No UPCODE Act and protect Medicare Advantage from funding cuts.