Some unions have migrated to Medicare Advantage, endangering their members’ lives. Union leaders, like our government, can be hoodwinked and bribed. Expand Medicare, don’t privatize It.
Avoid Medicare Advantage.
Podcasts (Video — Audio)
Summary:
In this conversation, Tom discusses the problematic situation his partner, Elaine, faces after her union forced her into a Medicare Advantage plan. Despite the benefits initially promised by Medicare Advantage, the couple discovers the severe limitations it places on healthcare access compared to traditional Medicare. Elaine’s experience highlights the growing issue of unions steering retirees into these plans without providing adequate information on alternatives like Medigap, which could have provided more comprehensive coverage.
- Her union forced Elaine, a retired teacher, into a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Medicare Advantage limits access to healthcare services compared to traditional Medicare.
- Unions often push retirees into Medicare Advantage to save money, with little regard for long-term care needs.
- After age 65, switching from Medicare Advantage to traditional Medicare is difficult due to actuarial tables.
- Many retirees are left with little choice, trapped in a system that values cost savings over comprehensive healthcare.
This situation reflects a broader problem within the U.S. healthcare system: corporate profit often precedes retirees’ well-being. Medicare Advantage, marketed as a low-cost alternative, leaves many vulnerable seniors without the necessary comprehensive care. Unions must do better in safeguarding retirees’ health, and the fight for a truly universal healthcare system that prioritizes patients over profits must continue.
