In my three decades working in and around politics, I’ve come to understand what constitutes good policy. However, when it comes to health care policy and insurance coverage, our politicians can sometimes swing and miss.
A few years ago, my husband was diagnosed with cancer. His diagnosis was itself startling, and his passing continues to be painful. But his journey gave me a new outlook on life and health. While we can’t control everything about ourselves, we should do everything we can to keep ourselves as healthy as possible.
That is why I want to encourage our legislators in Carson and in Congress to continue to support health care policies that put more emphasis on “health” and not hospitals.
Fortunately, there are some health plans that are really working to keep seniors healthy, and I urge our policymakers to continue to support them.
Like over 200,000 Nevadans, I have access to Medicare Advantage health plans through a variety of insurance companies. The program is very unique compared to other health insurance options, as it works with seniors to provide preventative care and benefits, both of which allow me to identify and avoid many major health issues before they become serious.
These plans cover a variety of programs that are crucial to seniors, like integrated vision, dental, and hearing benefits. They also cover testing and screening services, in addition to wellness programs and gym benefits. These are programs that help me stay in front of physical and even mental health issues.
Beyond that, Medicare Advantage plans provide full coverage before, during, and after any necessary medical procedures. If you need to have surgery done, Medicare Advantage will help you coordinate with your doctor, get through the procedure, and find all of the rehabilitation and follow-up treatments that you need to get back to feeling your best.
These plans are unique from other insurance options, which is why I worry that Congress may not be hearing from real-life patients who are benefitting for these plans. Plans that put more emphasis on staying healthy will help lower health care costs for all of us taxpayers.
Medicare Advantage plans are very affordable for seniors living on fixed incomes as they have low premiums and cap out-of-pocket costs, which is critical in these days of surprise billing!
Seniors on Medicare are already worried about their health. They should not have to worry about their health care and whether it will cover their expenses when they need it. Seniors in rural Nevada are even more concerned as we continue to see our legislature implementing policies that adversely impact rural health care facilities.
To this day, my husband's passing is a reminder that I should be grateful for my good health and do everything I can to keep it that way. That’s why I hope that Senators Rosen and Senator Cortez-Masto will continue their efforts to support Medicare Advantage in Congress and keep this quality care accessible for everyone.
Mendy Elliott is the lobbyist with Flynn Giudiciga and represents the City of Fernley at the Nevada Legislature.
The Fallon Post encourages polite public discourse and encourages letters to the editor and guest editorials. The opinions expressed are those of the author.
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