Reps. Cassidy and Barrow Comment on Medicare Advantage Benefit Reductions

Press Release

Today, Reps. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and John Barrow (D-GA) commented on a new analysis that shows a majority of Medicare Advantage enrollees will face significant benefit cuts in 2015, jeopardizing the stability the program. Benefits will be reduced on average by about $1,500 per beneficiary, affecting about 16 million seniors who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage. The Obama Administration cut $716 billion from Medicare to fund Obamacare, including $300 billion from Medicare Advantage.

Reps. Cassidy and Barrow have been outspoken in opposing the cuts. They recently sent another letter signed by more than 200 Members of Congress to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services asking them to keep 2015 Medicare Advantage payment rates stable.

"Thousands of Louisiana seniors rely on Medicare Advantage and there has been wide bipartisan support in Congress to protect this program. But Obamacare's cuts to Medicare are hurting senior's access to quality, affordable care. By 2015, Louisiana's seniors will see their benefits cut by about 20 percent--almost $3,000. It must be a priority to fight for policies that expand healthcare choices by giving the power to patients, not bureaucrats," said Dr. Bill Cassidy

"More than 300,000 seniors in Georgia rely heavily on Medicare Advantage for their health care needs, and because of cuts in the new health care law, the benefits they need could be taken away. We can't continue to cut away at health care for seniors. Congressman Cassidy and I are committed to preserving this program, and we'll continue to look out for the seniors who need Medicare Advantage as it currently exists," said Rep. John Barrow

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