by Assemblyman Scott Bendett, New York’s 107th State Assembly District
Earlier this year, I wrote about why New York seniors deserve peace of mind and why Medicare Advantage continues to deliver it. That case is even stronger today. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has now finalized the 2027 Medicare Advantage rate increase at 2.48 percent, a meaningful improvement over the near-flat 0.09 percent proposal released earlier this year.
That matters because Medicare Advantage is working for millions of older Americans, including more than 2.2 million New Yorkers. More than half of Medicare-eligible beneficiaries choose the program, not by accident, but because it offers coordinated care and benefits that seniors value, including vision, dental, hearing, preventive care, and other supplemental services. The program’s popularity reflects a simple truth – seniors want care that is affordable, dependable, and designed around their needs.
Although the rate notice period has ended for this year, the fight to protect Medicare Advantage is not over. Even with the stronger than anticipated final rate notice, Congress is still considering the No UPCODE Act, a proposal that if passed, could lead to higher costs, reduced benefits, and greater anxiety around the quality of coverage that seniors expect and deserve. Supporters may frame this bill as a technical fix, but the real-world impact would be felt by so many people who rely on Medicare Advantage each and every day.
New York’s congressional delegation should reject any bill that threatens the viability of Medicare Advantage. Seniors should not be asked to pay more so Washington can score political points with a program that is already delivering high-quality, coordinated care. The promise of Medicare Advantage is that it helps older adults stay healthy while protecting them from unpredictable costs. Weakening that promise would hit fixed-income retirees hardest.
Throughout my years as an elected official, I have long understood that seniors deserve advocates who show up for them and fight for practical solutions. Whether serving on the Assembly’s Committee on Aging, or as a Rensselaer County Legislator, I have worked to find effective solutions for the problems that impact our neighbors the most. Access to affordable and comprehensive health care is one of the most pressing community needs, particularly for seniors and their caregivers.
Now the same principle should guide Congress. The recently finalized rate increase is a step in the right direction, but it should not be the end of the conversation. Lawmakers must ensure Medicare Advantage remains strong, stable, and affordable. That means opposing the No UPCODE Act and any policy that would strip benefits, raise premiums, or undermine seniors’ confidence in their coverage.
New York seniors have earned more than promises. They deserve certainty, access, and peace of mind. Congress should protect Medicare Advantage, protect the doctor/patient relationship in choosing the best course of treatment for an individual’s unique health concerns, and most importantly – put seniors first.