Some of the most costly care is the kind that comes too late. High blood pressure identified at a routine checkup can often be managed with medication and follow-up care. Left untreated, it can contribute to a stroke that requires hospitalization, months of rehabilitation and, sometimes, the loss of a senior’s independence.
That principle has guided much of my work on healthcare in the Alabama Legislature. Our rural communities need more doctors, and residents need regular medical care before they become seriously ill. Getting people into care earlier can improve their health and help avoid more intensive treatment later.
That is one reason I believe we should protect Medicare Advantage for the older Alabamians who have chosen it.
The program covers wellness visits and screenings, and many plans offer help managing chronic conditions and coordinating care among multiple providers. Supplemental benefits can help seniors follow through on that care. Dental coverage can make treatment more affordable. Vision benefits can help someone keep up with changes in their eyesight. Transportation assistance can make an appointment possible when the doctor is forty miles away.
Someone living a few minutes from a medical center in Birmingham or Montgomery may have several ways to get there. In smaller communities, finding a ride can require planning around a relative’s work schedule or asking a neighbor for help. A missed appointment can mean another long wait before a patient gets seen.
Older voters want that coverage protected. In a recent nationwide survey of registered likely voters age 65 and older, 83% said Medicare Advantage funding should be maintained or increased. Their concerns about cuts include what could happen to their access to care: 53% expressed concern about losing access to preferred doctors or hospitals. In rural Alabama, where finding another provider can mean traveling much farther, that possibility carries particular weight.
As a Republican, I believe we should examine federal spending carefully. That examination should include what happens after a cut. If reduced funding leaves seniors with fewer benefits or makes care harder to afford, some may delay treatment. The need for care remains, and a manageable condition can become more difficult and expensive to treat.
We should evaluate Medicare Advantage with those consequences in mind. Support that helps someone attend an appointment or manage a chronic illness has value that extends beyond the immediate service. It can help a patient stay on track between visits, when much of the work of maintaining health takes place.
I encourage Alabama’s congressional delegation to oppose cuts that would weaken the program and protect the preventive care and supplemental benefits seniors rely on. They should listen closely to rural patients and families who understand how much effort it takes to obtain regular care.
This fall, many older Alabamians will visit both their doctor and their polling place. Candidates should be prepared to explain how they will help preserve access to the first before asking for support at the second.
We spend considerable time in the Legislature working to bring healthcare closer to rural communities. Protecting Medicare Advantage supports that effort by helping seniors use the care available to them. When an older Alabamian is ready to address a health problem, we should be making that appointment easier to keep.
Ed Oliver is a State Representative from Alexander City and Chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee.