Expand Medicare Now!

I am burdened by my health care costs. I am unable to afford basics, and I'm now facing expensive repairs to my home. As a senior, I feel forgotten by our current system. I feel like we are being punished for living because it is so difficult to live as a senior.

I am a senior citizen in Rome, Georgia, living on a fixed income. Both my husband and I are on Medicare as well as a supplemental plan that we pay for monthly. Still, we have an out-of-pocket deductible we must meet before any of our insurance kicks in, which this year took three long months. Our prescriptions are a huge burden for us also. We are at the point where we are having to make either/or decisions with everyday items just to get by and afford our healthcare.

I am urging congress to include expanded Medicare coverage and increase prescription access as part of the American Families Plan. Right now, Congress is debating if they should expand Medicare in the American Families Plan. Specifically, Congress must strengthen Medicare to include hearing, dental, and vision benefits, as well as an out-of-pocket cap; expand Medicare by lowering the eligibility age from 65 to as low as possible; and enable Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices for everyone. These would not only benefit me, but nearly 38 million people would gain vision, dental, and hearing coverage, and more than 2 million uninsured would get access to quality, affordable health care.

We have to use this chance to pass bold legislation while we have the majority. The clock is ticking!

Please join me in urging Congress to do the right thing and expand Medicare coverage through reconciliation.