WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seniors across Texas 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 $358 million from the Medicare Advantage program in Texas alone and severely cut back the areas where Medicare private fee-for-service plans can operate, adversely impacting 53,000 Texas seniors enrolled in these plans.
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Texas 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.
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Lydia Alonzo, San Antonio, Texas
"I have been with my Medicare Advantage plan since 1990. I have a great doctor and I can afford the medications that keep me healthy. My plan really saves me money every month. I only spend $5 a month for my high blood pressure medication. I trust my Medicare Advantage plan and I am happy to have a plan that understands the needs of seniors."
Ruth McMahon, San Antonio, Texas
"Medicare Advantage is what absolutely allows seniors like me to live and be healthy. I have a wonderful doctor and pharmacist who really care and listen to my concerns. My plan provides great comprehensive coverage. I can't imagine living without it. Most of my prescriptions only cost $10 for a three month supply! I am 82 years old and with Medicare Advantage I can live worry free about my medical expenses."
More than 450,000 Medicare beneficiaries in Texas 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: HYPERLINK "http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=23678" http://www.ahip.org/content/pressrelease.aspx?docid=23678.
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