An analysis released in February focuses on the accelerating privatization of Medicare, which for-profit companies increasingly participate in through the Medicare Advantage program. Serious problems can result due to for-profit entities being placed between Medicare beneficiaries and their healthcare providers, leading to higher prices and limitations on patient care. Critics of Medicare privatization are speaking out. Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action (PSARA) is bringing awareness to the issue with a free webinar on Monday (3/20) at 5 pm with speaker Dr. Ed Weisbart, Missouri chair and national board member of Physicians for a National Health Program and former Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Washington University, St. Louis. Register here.

This issue is getting some national attention. US Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) is leading a Congressional effort to raise concerns with CMS about the ACO REACH model, a method of contracting with for-profit insurers for Medicare services. CMS criteria for ACO REACH permitted insurers with a history of defrauding and abusing Medicare to participate. According to a letter from Rep. Jayapal and 20 fellow Members of Congress, the “model provides an opportunity for health care insurers with a history of defrauding and abusing Medicare and ripping off taxpayers to further encroach on the Medicare system.” In response, CMS issued new criteria and Jayapal recently issued a statement in response. While she commended CMS for excluding some of the “bad actors,” others will continue to qualify. And, according to Jayapal, this is only one small step in addressing problems with the larger privatization landscape: ”Corporate profiteering and profit-driven organizations should have no place in the Medicare system. We must fight privatization of Medicare with every tool we have.” Additional information about efforts to stop Medicare privatization is available on PSARA’s website.