Medicare Advantage Is a Lifeline for Oklahoma Seniors

By Barbara Gibbons

These days, the cost of bills can add up quickly, especially when it comes to specialized medical care. As someone managing their diabetes as well as being a breast cancer survivor, Medicare Advantage has provided me with access to my doctors, specialty appointments, and coverage for my bills. Fortunately, my experience with Medicare Advantage has allowed me to receive excellent health care access that I would be unable to afford without it.

Medicare Advantage provides high-quality health care to 34 million seniors across the country, with around 324,000 seniors relying on this program in Oklahoma alone. For seniors like me, it protects us from high out-of-pocket expenses, unaffordable premiums, and limited benefits. Medicare Advantage integrates other valuable services into the program, including vision, dental, and hearing, which are universally appreciated by us seniors. During my years of coverage under Medicare Advantage, I have seen top-tier specialists and have never faced difficulty receiving the care or appointments I need.

Thousands of seniors in Oklahoma rely on Medicare Advantage to receive life-altering treatment and vital care. Oklahoman lawmakers – including Senators Markwayne Mullin, James Lankford, and Representative Stephanie Bice must protect Medicare Advantage for seniors like me across our state. With more cuts to Medicare Advantage, seniors will be forced to pay higher costs, face restricted benefits, and have fewer coverage options for their health.

With Republican leadership and commitment to lowering costs, restoring proper funding towards Medicare Advantage is necessary to combat the effects of inflation on seniors like me. This program is a lifeline for so many, and we should be able to depend on reliable and affordable health care both now and in the future.