Earlier this year, I wrote in the Tampa Free Press about the growing threat to Medicare Advantage (MA), the program millions of American seniors—including myself—depend on for affordable, high-quality healthcare. While President Trump has kept his promise to protect Medicare, we are not out of the woods. Some in Washington are pressing forward with proposals that would undermine this successful program. The latest example is Sen. Bill Cassidy’s so-called “No UPCODE Act,” legislation that would raise out-of-pocket costs and reduce benefits for MA enrollees. It is time to push back against yet another attempt to weaken Medicare Advantage.
MA is not only popular—it’s thriving. More than half of Medicare-eligible seniors nationwide have chosen it. The reason is simple: MA delivers more benefits, better health outcomes, and lower out-of-pocket costs than Original Medicare. A recent UCLA Center for Health Policy Research study drives this point home. Looking at California between 2013 and 2023, researchers found healthcare costs in high-MA enrollment counties were 44% lower than in counties where MA participation was limited. Over that decade, healthcare costs rose by just 11% in those high-enrollment counties, compared to a staggering 54% increase elsewhere.
Although the study focused on California, it reflects a national pattern. Year after year, evidence shows MA saves seniors money. On average, MA enrollees spend about $3,500 less annually in out-of-pocket costs compared to those in Original Medicare. For retirees living on fixed incomes, these savings aren’t just helpful; they can be life-changing.
But MA’s value extends beyond dollars. Seniors enrolled in the program generally experience better health outcomes. They have lower rates of avoidable hospitalizations, fewer readmissions, and greater access to preventive services. These aren’t abstract statistics. They mean fewer emergencies, healthier lives, and peace of mind for families.
That progress is now at risk. The No UPCODE Act (S. 1105) would bar MA plans from using certain crucial patient information needed to determine fair reimbursement rates from the federal government. Without accurate data, reimbursements would become distorted, likely forcing plans to either raise costs, cut benefits, or both. Seniors would be left to pay more for less.
For Florida, this fight is personal. Our state is home to nearly 3 million MA enrollees—the second-largest population in the nation. These are our neighbors, friends, and family members, all of whom count on the program to remain affordable and effective.
Thankfully, we have a champion in Sen. Rick Scott, who has consistently defended MA and the seniors who rely on it. I urge him to continue leading the charge against misguided legislation like the No UPCODE Act. Seniors in Florida and across the country cannot afford higher costs, fewer benefits, and worse health outcomes. Medicare Advantage is working, and it deserves to be protected.
Dick Inglis, a retiree and Medicare Advantage enrollee, is serving his seventh term as President of the Sun City Center Republican Club.
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