As someone on Real Medicare, I am worried about the people being talked into the Medicare Advantage Plans. The Advantage Plans are doing what the healthcare plans I had when working — Advantage plans are demanding referrals and are denying claims. My husband and I settled on a plan that covers everything with a supplemental plan. You get what you pay for. We have not gotten a bill or denial for claims.

On July 30, 1965, Medicare was signed into law, bringing about a new era of guaranteed healthcare for our nation’s seniors and Americans living with disabilities. 58 years later, Medicare is threatened with ongoing efforts to privatize the program. The only “advantage” presented in Medicare Advantage plans is the advantage it gives to corporations and their CEOs, while patients suffer.

According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, 10,000 Medicare Advantage enrollees DIE every year because their insurance company takes too long in getting them the care they need. Countless more are suffering in pain while they wait to see specialists, get treatment, and undergo surgeries. They then add insult to injury when they will sometimes deny coverage for whatever reason and then you spend your time fighting the company to pay.

If you want to get back on the Real Medicare plan from the Advantage Plan , you will need to take a physical and any preexisting condition will now make you pay more. When you sign up for the Real Medicare Plan at age 65 you do not need a physical.

President Biden must act now to reclaim Medicare from these greedy corporations, and ensure every American who is eligible for Medicare gets the care they need.

Medicare for All is a plan that would help all Americans get the best care.

MARY O’NEILL

Presque Isle