Protect traditional Medicare plans from Project 2025 proposals

We must preserve this public good and protect it from Project 2025 regarding Medicare. This platform intends to line the pockets of private insurers at the expense of patient care putting profits over people,

This proposal by the far right Heritage Foundation would make “privatized Medicare” the default option for new beneficiaries with automatic enrollment, without your consent and eliminating your choice for traditional Medicare.

If implemented, this costly plan would speed up Medicare’s insolvency to six years sooner (2030) than currently projected.

Medicare Advantage plans receive 122 percent more funding than traditional Medicare for covering similar beneficiaries, costing an additional $83 billion in 2024 alone.

More than 24 million enrolled in Advantage plans would face limited provider networks with 70 percent of area doctors unavailable through these plans. 15 million people would be under-insured due to reduced benefits in many of these plans.

Our seniors value Medicare. My close family member’s first eight years of cancer treatment was covered primarily by Medicare. We are fortunate. Even though necessary, “out of pocket” costs were high for a supplemental plan and a pharmacy discount plan for chemotherapy, Medicare as a primary payor saved us from going broke!

Demand that Congress reject Project 2025. Traditional Medicare must be preserved and Congress must take action to fortify it; take back the billions of wasted dollars on Medicare Advantage overpayments.

Lee Gresko

Mountlake Terrace

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Opinion

A Sabey Corporation data center in East Wenatchee, Wash., on Nov. 3, 2024. The rural region is changing fast as electricians from around the country plug the tech industry’s new, giant data centers into its ample power supply. (Jovelle Tamayo/The New York Times)
Editorial: Protect utililty ratepayers as data centers ramp up

State lawmakers should move ahead with guardrails for electricity and water use by the ‘cloud’ and AI.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Saturday, Feb. 7

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

Comment: Listening to, helping boys and men can help us all

State lawmakers can establish a state Boys and Men Commission to address the challenges they face.

Comment: LifeWise misreads Constitution in suing Everett Schools

Case law allows release time for off-campus religious instruction. Schools don’t have to promote it.

Comment: Without child care support, work stops; it’s simple

Families and employers depend on state child care assistance. Cuts to two programs would harm all.

Forum: Immigration raids involving children cause lasting trauma

The cruelty and terror inherent in raids by federal immigration agents cannot be allowednear children.

Forum: As go our forests, so goes our environmental future

The Trump administration’s move to end the Roadless Rule jeopardizes ancient forests and risks collapse.

Advocates for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities rallied on the state capitol steps on Jan. 17. The group asked for rate increases for support staff and more funding for affordable housing. (Laurel Demkovich/Washington State Standard)
Editorial: Limit redundant reviews of those providing care

If lawmakers can’t boost funding for supported living, they can cut red tape that costs time.

toon
Editorial cartoons for Friday, Feb. 6

A sketchy look at the news of the day.… Continue reading

The Buzz: ‘Smile, Darn Ya, Smile’ when addressing the president

Reporters must remember to grin when asking President Trump about Epstein’s sexual assault victims.

Schwab: When you’re the president, they let you do anything

While Trump grifts for billions in his first year, Stephen Miller rethinks the non-rights of laborers.

Bill for cardiac response plans at schools can save lives of children

Recently, I visited Olympia to testify in front of the Senate Committee… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.