Is Washington hearing seniors?

October 21, 7:51 PMArlington Heights Grandparenting ExaminerPeggy O'Connor

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Washington holds the fate of seniors in the United States. Medicare and Medicare Advantage have taken the spotlight in cuts to be made. In the over 40 years since Medicare was started and the occasional attempts to overhaul it, seniors have never felt the threat of losing the health care we paid for throughout our working lives. Today, threats have been made and seniors are scared. When Medicare Choice was initiated a few years ago, there were hopes that Medicare Advantage Plans were the answer. According to Johns Hopkins study released on 9/2/09, they are. They have saved money, offered affordable premiums and seniors in their plans have been healthier. However, Washington has promised change and Medicare/Medicare Advantage is a convenient place to start. The question arises that if we can send 65 billion dollars to Pakistan, why is it so important to go after Medicare/Medicare Advantage? Are our priorities screwed up or what?

In an effort to understand better, I contacted 13 of the 19 representatives we have in Washington, representing Illinois. I asked two very specific questions:
 

1. What is your opinion on Medicare funds being used to pay for the proposed public option?
2. What is your opinion on Medicare Advantage plans and their success?
 

Congressman Peter Roskam believes Medicare Advantage plans are helpful to their beneficiaries in providing coordinated benefits and extra vision and dental services that traditional Medicare doesn’t provide. According to the CBO, if Medicare Advantage were to be cut, many seniors would see benefit cuts.
Senator Roland Burris: “As your United States Senator, one of my top priorities is to ensure that my constituents have access to affordable, quality healthcare.” In a page long response, the temporary Senator from Illinois did not answer questions. However, I can tell you that his number one priority is public option.
Don Mansullo: does not support Medicare cuts. A strong supporter of Medicare Advantage Plans.
Mark Kirk: against Medicare cuts. Supports Medicare Advantage Plans
Dick Durbin: In September, supported cuts on Medicare Advantage to pay for health care reform. In October, position is that Medicare Advantage will not be taken away but funds to companies offering Medicare Advantage Plans will be reduced because they are charging the government 13/14% over the real cost.
Bobby Rush: “not sure” what his opinion is.
Jesse Jackson Jr. – Press secretary in a meeting. Did not return call.
Melissa Bean: emailed press secretary. No response
Judy Biggert: Message not returned.
Luis Gutierrez: emailed press secretary. No response.
 

The list goes on. The answers did not come. AARP who sold seniors down the river in the great health care debate has been working overtime to regain members. Today, they are advertising on TV for AARP’s Medicare Supplement Plans. Do you think they know something we don’t? Medicare Advantage Plans offer premiums half the price of supplemental plans and include more like vision, dental and health club memberships.
 

59% of seniors are not happy with Washington and the job they are doing on our insurance benefits. Yet, the politicians continue to force their plans on us. The last I looked, we are still a democracy and we have spoken but Washington is not listening.