Catching health issues early helps safeguard older adults

Some of the most expensive medical care is the kind that starts too late. When high blood pressure is found during a routine checkup, it can often be controlled with medicine and follow-up care. If it goes untreated, it can lead to a stroke that may require hospitalization, months of rehabilitation, and, in some cases, the loss of a senior’s independence.

That idea has shaped much of my work on healthcare in the Alabama Legislature.

Rural communities need more doctors, and residents need regular care before an illness becomes serious. Getting people into treatment earlier can improve outcomes and help avoid more intensive care later on.

That is one reason I believe Medicare Advantage should be protected for older Alabamians who have chosen it.

The program includes wellness visits and screenings, and many plans help patients manage chronic illnesses and coordinate care across multiple providers. Added benefits can also help seniors follow through on treatment. Dental coverage can make care more affordable. Vision benefits can help people adjust to changes in eyesight. Transportation assistance can make an appointment possible when the doctor is many miles away.

Someone who lives close to a medical center in Birmingham or Montgomery may have several ways to get there. In smaller communities, getting a ride can require planning around a family member’s work schedule or asking a neighbor for help. Missing one appointment can mean a long wait before a patient is seen again.

Older voters want this coverage preserved. In a recent nationwide survey of registered likely voters age 65 and older, 83% said Medicare Advantage funding should be kept at least at current levels or increased. Their concerns about cuts included access to care: 53% said they were worried about losing access to preferred doctors or hospitals.

In rural Alabama, where switching providers may require traveling much farther, that concern is especially serious.

As a Republican, I believe federal spending should be reviewed carefully. That review should also consider what happens after a cut. If reduced funding leaves seniors with fewer benefits or makes care harder to afford, some may put off treatment. The health issue does not go away, and a manageable condition can become more serious and more costly to treat.

Medicare Advantage should be judged with those consequences in mind. Support that helps someone make an appointment or manage a chronic condition has value beyond the immediate service. It can help a patient stay on track between visits, when much of the work of staying healthy actually happens.

I urge Alabama’s congressional delegation to oppose cuts that would weaken the program and to protect the preventive care and supplemental benefits seniors depend on. They should listen closely to rural patients and families who know how much effort it takes to get regular care.

We spend a great deal of time in the Legislature working to bring healthcare closer to rural communities. Protecting Medicare Advantage helps support that effort by allowing seniors to use the care that is available to them.

When an older Alabamian is ready to deal with a health problem, we should make it easier to keep that appointment.