New Mexico Seniors Speak Out Against Medicare Adva...( U.S. Senate to vote soon on legis...),Health

U.S. Senate to vote soon on legislation that would cut $38 million from Medicare Advantage program in New Mexico

WASHINGTON, July 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seniors across New Mexico 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 $38 million from the Medicare Advantage program in New Mexico alone and severely cut back the areas where Medicare private fee-for-service plans can operate, adversely impacting the 9,000 New Mexico seniors enrolled in these plans.

Rose Horner, Eagle Nest, NM

"If it wasn't for my Medicare Advantage plan I would be in a terrible mess. I don't know what I would do if budget cuts are made to these programs. Medicare Advantage pays for a lot of things I would not be able to afford otherwise."

Joann Gallegos, Las Vegas, NM

"My Medicare Advantage covers 80 percent of my medical bills. If budget cuts occur I will have to pay more out of pocket and could very well not be able to afford to go see a doctor anymore. I am a disabled woman who relies heavily on my Medicare Advantage plan."

More than 65,000 Medicare beneficiaries in New Mexico 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 Advantag
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