Florida seniors defend Medicare
FROM STAFF REPORTS Gulf Breeze News news@gulfbreezenews.com

More than 30 seniors from Florida joined more than 350 from across the country at a rally on Capitol Hill recently to urge members of congress to protect their Medicare Advantage benefits. The event, organized by the Coalition for Medicare Choices, was led by seniors and physicians who called on Congress not to cut Medicare Advantage payments.

"I urge Congress to protect Medicare Advantage. Under my coverage, I have access to a fitness program, which keeps me healthy. If it wasn't for Medicare Advantage, I would be paying out of pocket for these benefits. Seniors in poor health would be paying even more," said Barbara Badali from Hudson, Fla.

Medicare Advantage is the part of Medicare that delivers Medicare benefits through private health plans. Seniors who choose Medicare Advantage receive additional benefits and services not available in original Medicare, including coordination of care and disease management services; dental, hearing, and vision benefits; and out-of-pocket cost protection.

In 2007, 693,223 seniors in Florida relied on Medicare Advantage for their health care. If Congress cuts Medicare Advantage, 87,490 seniors would see their coverage cut back or lose coverage entirely.

Doctors around the country support Medicare Advantage because of the valuable benefits not covered by original Medicare that it provides. Coordinated care and disease management services in Medicare Advantage are helping seniors cope with chronic diseases and are improving their quality of life.

Medicare Advantage saves beneficiaries an average of $86 per month compared with original Medicare, and half of all Medicare Advantage beneficiaries earn less than $20,000 per year. Government officials estimate that the program saves seniors on average $1,032 each year through lower out-ofpocket costs and better benefits when compared to basic Medicare coverage.