Rep. Tom Reed (R-N.Y.) recently said cuts to Medicare Advantage are “unfair” and urged the Obama administration to not make any additional cuts to the program.
The Obama administration announced in February that $300 million would be cut from the Medicare Advantage program, which combines public and private aspects of health insurance to provide enrollees more control over their healthcare, with a focus on preventative care.
“The White House cuts to Medicare Advantage are unfair and further jeopardize access, affordable plans and threaten a program that more than 1.1 million New Yorkers rely on,” Reed said. “We’re hearing from countless seniors at our town halls and senior resource events about the need to protect Medicare Advantage and prevent the White House from going down its path even further.”
Studies show that Medicare Advantage reduces hospitalizations by more than 20 percent, reduces emergency room visits by 20 to 30 percent and reduces readmission rates by 13 to 20 percent.
“Medicare Advantage is a proven, successful program that should remain a choice for seniors in our area,” Reed said. “I urge the White House to stop additional cuts to Medicare Advantage that further devastate the health care landscape.”
A recent report by management consulting firm Oliver Wyman concluded that Medicare Advantage would see a 5.9-percent reduction in payments in 2015.