Welcome to MedicareWorks!
The new advocacy site from The Center for Medicare Advocacy

Nothing New Under the Sun

November 18, 2009

If Republicans and “conservative” Democrats really want to save money, help taxpayers, and serve Medicare beneficiaries, they will cut the wasteful subsidies to private Medicare plans. Private Medicare plans cost taxpayers about 14% more than would be needed to cover the same services in the traditional, public Medicare program. Private plans should be paid the same rate as original Medicare; we simply can’t afford otherwise. The subsidies to private “Medicare Advantage” plans cost taxpayers about $10 billion a year!

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Moving Closer to Health Care Reform

October 13, 2009 - Senator Snowe (Rep. Maine) and all Committee Democrats voted in favor of the health care reform bill that passed the Senate Finance Committee today.  No other Republicans voted for the bill.  While the Finance Committee bill is not the bill we would like in the end, its passage moves us closer to health care reform.

Senator Snowe acted in the tradition of a true lawmaker, putting what is best for the country above partisanship. Thank you, Senator, for your vote - and for your integrity.

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Public Option: Just a Phone Call Away

Thanks again to Robert Reich for calling attention to the importance of a public plan option and the work of Charles Schumer (New York) and Jay Rockefeller (West Virginia) to make sure that real health care reform includes a public plan -- the only way to provide fair access to health care for all at a cost taxpayers can afford.

Today, Schumer and Rockefeller present their amendment to the reform bill that INCLUDES A PUBLIC PLAN OPTION.

Senate offices need to hear from all of us today! So here’s who you need to call:

Democrats

• Max Baucus (Montana) - (202) 224-2651
• Tom Carper (Delaware) - (202) 224-2441
• Robert Menendez (New Jersey) - (202) 224.4744
• Kent Conrad (North Dakota) - (202) 224-2043
• Bill Nelson (Florida) - (202) 224-5274

Republican

• Olympia Snowe (Maine) - (202) 224-5344

Remind them that a public option matters. You can say:

I am calling to ask that you vote in favor of a public plan option. A public plan option is the key to reforming the health care system. It's the only way to provide secure coverage for all at a price taxpayers can afford. A public plan option will offer more coverage and cost less, period. Real change will improve access for everyone, support comprehensive care and foster healthy communities. Real change in health care reform must include a public plan. Vote in favor of a public plan option.

You can also use our advocacy form to write a letter to your elected officials

You can also Keep track of today's public plan conversation courtesy of live blogging on the NY Times Web site

 

The Center for Medicare Advocacy Applauds President Obama’s Health Care Reform Ideas

President Obama pledged to safeguard Medicare, calling it a “sacred trust” with older Americans and most members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, applauded!

Medicare IS a public health insurance program. It was created and is broadly implemented by the federal government; claims are administered by private insurance companies.

For everyone who applauds Medicare – and most people do – sign our petition in support of a public option so we can pass the sacred trust of health care security on to younger generations!

 

Take Action for Health Care Today

Don't give up on a public plan option for health care reform. The insurance industry is pleased with the direction the health care reform effort has recently been taking. Why? Because, as Business Week reports, the industry stands to gain plenty if health coverage is mandated only from private plans. In fact, "the open secret [is] that insurers are minimizing their forecasts of the eventual windfall they will enjoy from expanded coverage for Americans." Tell your elected officials - don't forget the public plan!

A successful public plan option is the key to reforming the health care system. It's the only way to provide secure coverage for all at a price taxpayers can afford. And, since key opponents of health care reform have admitted they won't likely vote for any proposal, even if it only includes private plans, why not continue to insist on real health care reform? Real health care reform means reform that includes a public plan option.

A public plan option will offer more coverage and cost less, period.

• The public plan should be available to all.
• The public plan should cover care provided anywhere in the country.
• The public plan should have a full array of guaranteed benefits.
• The public plan should emphasize patient and physician involvement, care coordination, and preventive services.

The health care reform debate must include a public plan option. It's time to urge our elected officials to make sure that we don't lose real change that improves access for everyone, supports comprehensive care and coverage and fosters healthy communities. It's time to be heard!

Tell your elected officials - don't forget the public plan!