Letters submitted by BDN readers are verified by BDN Opinion Page staff. Send your letters to letters@bangordailynews.com
Young conservatives throughout Maine and across the country are concerned about a range of issues that impact our communities. When it comes to health care, young conservatives and Republican voters should care more about protecting Medicare Advantage from cuts that could put its benefits — for older patients and patients with disabilities — at risk.
Medicare Advantage is the program of choice for tens of millions of Americans, including half of the entire Medicare population. It plays a key role in expanding access to care for seniors, particularly in rural communities, which is especially important given our state’s demographics. Medicare Advantage also helps support businesses, strengthens local economies, and reduces government overreach by leveraging private insurers to manage health care benefits.
Protecting and expanding access to care for tens of millions of seniors and patients with disabilities should not be a partisan issue. Medicare Advantage is a commonsense health care solution that lawmakers on both sides of the aisle should be able to agree upon and support.
President Donald Trump nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the important federal agency that oversees Medicare Advantage. It is critical for leaders like Dr. Oz, as well as members of Maine’s congressional delegation, including Sens. Angus King and Susan Collins and Rep. Jared Golden, to champion Medicare Advantage and ensure it does not face unnecessary cuts that could put the program on shaky ground.
Anthony Weaver
President
University of Maine College Republicans
Orono
