Op-Ed:Congressman Murphy’s crusade against Medicare Advantage jeopardizes seniors care
Op-Ed: Congressman Murphy’s crusade against Medicare Advantage jeopardizes seniors care
By: Annabeal Lefler
Medicare Advantage is a lifeline for more than 1 million seniors in North Carolina — delivering high-quality, comprehensive health care at a lower cost to beneficiaries than traditional fee-for-service Medicare.
But our congressman, Rep. Greg Murphy, won’t stop attacking it.
As an experienced urologist, we know Rep. Murphy understands the health care system and wants to ensure access and affordability for seniors. That is why his crusade against Medicare Advantage is so concerning. No health care program is doing more good for seniors than Medicare Advantage.
Unlike fee-for-service Medicare, Medicare Advantage provides comprehensive coverage and prioritizes preventive care, which keeps seniors healthier and keeps costs down over time. That’s also good for the system. Meanwhile, seniors pay less with Medicare Advantage, saving an average $2,541 every year compared to fee-for-service.
Murphy claims the government is spending too much on Medicare Advantage beneficiaries. The truth is, Joe Biden cut Medicare Advantage two years in a row, putting immense pressure on the program and causing widespread coverage disruptions for seniors. Rep. Murphy might be fine with seniors paying more and getting less — but we are not.
Neither is President Donald Trump, whose administration just approved a funding increase for Medicare Advantage next year. It won’t completely make up for the past two years of cuts, but it’s a step in the right direction. Rep. Murphy should stand with President Trump and support Medicare Advantage, instead of standing in the way.
Recently, The New York Times highlighted a disturbing health care flip-flop by Rep. Murphy. He had rightly criticized a major hospital for spending $8 million on a Super Bowl television ad, instead of using that money to care for patients and bring down costs. Conveniently, after a plane linked to the hospital’s benefactor landed in the Third Congressional District, Murphy immediately backtracked.
The story raises concerns that Murphy is susceptible to pressure from special interests. We need to know he is fighting for seniors, not just sticking up for his donors. It is well known that hospitals are trying to undermine the Medicare Advantage program and take away choice for seniors because it helps their bottom line.
North Carolina seniors deserve to know why Rep. Greg Murphy isn’t fighting to protect their Medicare Advantage. Today, more than half of Medicare beneficiaries choose Medicare Advantage because the program works. Rep. Murphy should listen to his constituents and fight for us, not against the programs we depend on.
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