Senator Scott Champions Effort to Protect Medicare Advantage Program

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and over 60 Senators expressed their continued support of the Medicare Advantage (MA) program.

“We write to express our bipartisan support for the Medicare Advantage program and the health care coverage it provides to over 32 million seniors and individuals with disabilities,” the senators wrote. “We appreciate your ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Medicare Advantage program meets the health care needs of all beneficiaries while improving the quality and long-term stability of the Medicare program… As the Administration considers updates for plan year 2025, we request that you ensure payment and policy stability for the Medicare Advantage program, to protect and strengthen this critical choice for current and future Medicare beneficiaries.” 

“Looking to the future, we believe that every American eligible for Medicare should receive clear, accurate, and timely information about the cost and quality of their coverage options. We look forward to working with you to combat predatory and deceptive marketing practices, improve the accuracy of provider directories, and increase transparency of plan performance to help consumers and taxpayers better assess value,” the senators continued. 

Each year, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) releases payment and policy updates to the MA program. The senators’ letter urges the administration to ensure stability for the MA program, move forward with ongoing reforms within the program and encourage plan performance transparency to help consumers better assess value in the MA program. 

The full text of the letter can be found here.

BACKGROUND 

Senator Scott has consistently fought to protect the MA program by: 

• Speaking out against MA proposals that risk care disruptions and premium hikes for seniors;
• Urging the Biden administration to continue support for the Medicare Advantage program; and
• Leading a letter to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to protect the Medicare Advantage (MA) program from payment cuts.