Kennedy questions Becerra on Medicare Advantage in Appropriations April 16, 2024
Kennedy: Why is Medicare Advantage so popular?
Becerra: Again, when you say “popular,” I’ve heard many Medicare beneficiaries who are complaining about being stuck in a Medicare Advantage.
Kennedy: Is it because the average senior on Medicare Advantage pays $2,400 less in premiums on Medicare Advantage as opposed to traditional Medicare, plus gets more services like dental and vision in many respects? Could that have something to do with it, you think?
Becerra: I’m assuming that you’ve seen some polling or surveys that give you some of those answers. I’ve heard many, many, many things about…
Kennedy: seen the facts. Are you telling me that people on Medicare Advantage don’t save money in premiums and co-pays over traditional Medicare?
Becerra: I doubt that. Some do, but I wouldn’t have no doubt that some pay more.
Kennedy: I’m talking about the average.
Becerra: Again, I don’t know what numbers you’re referring to, but I’m more than willing to
Kennedy: look at the numbers that your department puts out.
Becerra: Okay, then what are those numbers, Senator?
Kennedy: The numbers say that the average person on MedAdvant pays $2400 less in premiums and co-pays and gets extra benefits. Is that right?
Becerra: My understanding is they’re also restricted in the doctors they have access to, the hospitals they have access to.
Kennedy: You’re trying to destroy Medicare Advantage, aren’t you?
Becerra: We’ve actually provided an increase in funding for Medicare Advant.
Kennedy: No, you haven’t. You cut funding in 2020, 2023 by 1.1%. That’s absolutely correct. And next year, you’re proposing a 1.16% cut. And in fact, the Medicare trustees said that.
Becerra: You’ve lost your mind, Senator. Saying something doesn’t make it true. The dollar amount that we’re giving to insurance…
Kennedy: Are you telling me today you have not cut payments to insurers in Medicare Advantage last year by 1.1%?
Becerra: We are giving Medicare Advantage Health insurance companies under Medicare Advantage more money this year than they got last year from Medicare.
Kennedy: You cut them by 1.1%.
Becerra: That’s not a cut, Senator.
Kennedy: And you’re proposing another .1% cut. In fact, I mean, you and President Biden say you will not touch a hair on the head of Medicare, but that’s… You’re trying to destroy Medicare Advantage, actually. Look at the numbers. In 2023, under your watch, Medicare Advantage patients saw, on average, a 12% increase in deductible and a 5%…
Becerra: Insurance companies did that, not us, Senator.
Kennedy: And Florida and Utah and Wyoming saw their premiums go up 50%, Senator.
Becerra: Blame the insurance companies, not us
Kennedy: because you cut the payments to insurance companies to drive them to traditional Medicare where you can control one better. Isn’t that the case?
Becerra: The fiction you’re propounding doesn’t resolve the issue that we have every year so far under this Administration increased the funding for health insurance companies who offer these Managed Care Medicare Advantage plans.
Chair: Thank you, Senator Kennedy. Now, I’ll recognize Senator Smith.
Kennedy: Thank you, Madam Chair, for your indulgence.
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Kennedy: You Cut Medicare Advantage & Premium increased; A: Not Cut, Blame Insurance Companies