Medicare – A National Treasure

Medicare is a national treasure. It has kept in step with its promise to provide improved health security for older Americans. Since Medicare was launched in 1966 under the leadership of a bi-partisan Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson, life for older Americans has improved – Americans now live longer and healthier lives in large measure thanks to Medicare.

But Medicare cannot stand pat.

Our position

• In many ways traditional Medicare has not kept up with the need for a more efficient, higher quality system of health care. It must lead the way to better coordinate care and provide better care at lower cost to older Americans. It must meet the growing struggle people with Medicare face in paying their out of pocket costs. And it has to achieve efficiencies that will allow the American taxpayer to sustain Medicare for generations to come.

Additional Information:

• Medicare’s Prescription Drug Program

  Critics claim that the Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Program is too difficult for many to understand. Universal American supports efforts to simplify Part D education materials.

• 2010 Medicare Advantage Payments

  The Obama administration projected in April 2009 that it would pay Medicare Advantage plans in 2010 on a level that assumes dramatic decreases in physician payments in fee-for-service Medicare.

• Medicare Advantage Payments: the Next Decade

  Medicare Advantage payments have been targeted for cuts by President Obama and the Congress. While greater efficiencies must be found in delivering Medicare benefits, payment cuts must be phased.

View the pending healthcare reform legislation.