OPINION: Nevada Seniors Need Congress to Protect Medicare Advantage
I'm born and raised in Vegas, and my family has been part of this community since the 1960s. We’ve gone to Grace Immanuel Missionary Baptist Church for as long as I can remember. That’s where I learned what service really means: showing up, lending a hand, and looking out for your neighbors.
As a state assemblymember, I try to live by those same values today. I meet seniors regularly who’ve worked hard and paid into “the system” their whole lives. They don’t ask for much. They just want to stay healthy and live with independence and dignity. For many of them, Medicare Advantage makes that possible.
This program helps tens of millions of Americans, including more than 320,000 people here in Nevada. It covers what traditional Medicare doesn’t, including integrated prescription drug coverage, dental care, and hearing and vision. It coordinates care between doctors and specialists. It even offers transportation and fitness benefits that help people stay active and out of the hospital.
For seniors on fixed incomes, the stability of Medicare Advantage makes all the difference, allowing them to see their doctor when needed without worrying about the cost.
I know what it’s like to depend on the healthcare system. In 2023, I was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer, and that news floored me. At the time, I didn’t have many resources. The high copayments and long waiting periods to see a provider through my private insurance were extremely overwhelming. Fortunately, Medicaid helped cover my care and provided immediate treatment that saved my life. Without it, I don’t know if I’d still be here today.
That experience changed everything. It pushed me to speak up for people who feel overlooked or forgotten. For seniors and veterans. For folks struggling with mental health. For families caring for sick loved ones. I know what it’s like to have to look for care when life turns upside down. No one should have to go through that alone. And with the low-cost, comprehensive care Medicare Advantage covers, no one has to.
Nevada’s senior population is growing fast, especially here in Clark County. We should be making it easier to find quality care. Congress has a choice to make — either protect the seniors or turn their backs on them. I hope they make the right call. Lawmakers in Washington must protect Medicare Advantage.
— Assmeblymember Jovan Jackson
