The 2026 midterm elections are approaching, which means folks are keeping a closer eye on Washington than ever before. Seniors are specifically watching to see how their elected officials are fighting for a stronger Medicare Advantage program, especially after the recent proposal from CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) to effectively cut funding for the program next year.
That should resonate both with lawmakers up for re-election and candidates running for the first time. Seniors remain a highly engaged and consistent voting population, and they pay close attention to how elected officials approach issues that directly affect their health and well-being. When it comes to protecting access to high-quality, affordable health care, they value thoughtful leadership and meaningful action.
I’m enrolled in a very good Medicare Advantage plan. Like most beneficiaries, I’m happy with my coverage and care I’m able to access through the program. Unlike the “traditional,” fee-for-service (FFS) model, benefits are packaged together in a way that’s logical and easy to understand, including critical coverage that seniors need, like dental care and vision checks. FFS Medicare doesn’t cover those, at least not without forcing beneficiaries to pay extra costs and juggle multiple premiums.
People with disabilities enrolled in Medicare Advantage also benefit from a selection of supplemental services designed to meet their specific care needs. That includes offerings like telehealth, in-home support, meal delivery, and transportation assistance, and even fitness benefits like gym memberships.
These benefits help keep beneficiaries healthier and more independent, allow seniors to age comfortably in their own homes, and help patients with disabilities overcome barriers to care. The focus that Medicare Advantage puts on prevention and wellness ultimately benefits not just those enrolled in the program, but also our families, caregivers, communities, and local economies.
That’s why we feel it’s so important for lawmakers to not just voice their support for the program, but to show that support with the policies they pass. President Trump and Republican lawmakers time and again have pledged to support our Medicare Advantage, and I’m sure we can depend on them to correct course before the final rate notice from CMS is announced in just a few weeks.
When Medicare Advantage is on the chopping block, or funding is pulled from the program, that leads to fewer benefits, higher costs, and less predictability for seniors and vulnerable patients. We should learn from these mistakes, not repeat them.
I hope lawmakers, including Senators Justice and Capito, will continue to demonstrate their support for Medicare Advantage as the midterm election season approaches. For seniors and individuals with disabilities, continued stability in the program helps ensure access to the high-quality, affordable, and coordinated care they rely on.
Clark Barnes is a former member of the West Virginia Senate and a former clerk of the Senate.
