OPINION: Don't Cut Medicare Advantage: Seniors Rely on It—and They'll Remember Who Tries to Take It Away

As a community leader and Reno City Councilmember, I believe in direct talk, so I'll get right to the point.

Slashing Medicare Advantage (MA) benefits and raising premiums and out-of-pocket costs for seniors is wrong. Vulnerable seniors deserve every protection we can give them, including access to comprehensive, affordable healthcare. Currently, more than 35 million seniors, many of whom live on tight budgets, rely on Medicare Advantage for that affordable, comprehensive care, which is not available to them through any other healthcare programs, including traditional Medicare.

Miguel Martinez

Reno City Councilmember for Ward 3

Medicare Advantage goes well beyond basic doctor and hospital coverage by including additional benefits such as prescription drug coverage (critical for many seniors in maintaining their daily quality of life), dental and vision coverage, and in-home services for members who can’t travel for healthcare services. These necessary supplemental benefits are offered at little to no cost to Medicare Advantage members** and keep their out-of-pocket expenses to a minimum.

The program also provides chronic disease management for those dealing with health concerns, such as diabetes, heart disease, or mental health issues. Its benefits are stable enough to inspire confidence and peace of mind, while flexible enough to allow members to change benefit plans without penalty or punitive increases in costs. Medicare Advantage’s comprehensive benefits result in an affordable, total healthcare package. Cuts to the program’s funding would be disastrous for our community's most at-risk citizens. We must not let them down.

Additionally, cutting benefits for citizens already struggling to make ends meet is not only deeply thoughtless and morally wrong, but it is also politically foolish. Adults over the age of 65 represent one of the largest, most significant voting groups in the country. Across income levels and political viewpoints, they reliably show up to vote and pay close attention to the candidates who are truly invested in and committed to protecting senior health—and which ones may be talking out of both sides of their mouths to garner votes, with no real intention of protecting Medicare Advantage and the affordable, accessible benefits it offers.

Recent polling indicates that a strong majority (for example, around 84–89% in various surveys) of Medicare Advantage members would be less likely to support leaders and lawmakers who vote to cut Medicare Advantage funding and benefits. Medicare Advantage has become a test for whether candidates truly understand the real-world healthcare needs of older adults, as well as the daily financial struggles they face. With the 2026 midterm elections on the horizon, smart candidates will pay attention to this critical voting bloc.

Officials at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have the opportunity this year to demonstrate their care and concern for seniors by fully funding Medicare Advantage during the upcoming Rate Notice. Medicare Advantage is a healthcare program that prioritizes quality of life for seniors and older adults. We should all care about the health and well-being of struggling people in our society, of course. They matter, and so does our concern for them. I will vigorously oppose any plan or policy that threatens affordable senior healthcare, and I strongly encourage Senators Cortez Masto and Rosen to do the same.

— Reno City Councilmember Miguel Martinez