As we grow older, the roles we play in our families often shift in ways we never expected. The people who once cared for us — who bandaged scraped knees, stayed up through fevers, and guided us through life’s challenges — eventually need that same care in return. Before my father passed away, my brother and I were his primary caregivers taking him to doctor’s appointments, filling prescriptions, and assuring his safety. 

Dad’s Medicare Advantage program was there to release us from the financial worries that accompany senior health care costs. Craig and I were free to help Dad age with dignity and comfort rather than worry about the next bill. Even as he surpassed 90, my father knew that Medicare Advantage provided the best coverage option for him and our mother. That’s why he stuck with the program until he passed in December. 

Across Pennsylvania, nearly half — 49 percent — of all Medicare beneficiaries are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans. This is up from 40 percent in 2018. And there’s a reason behind that: Medicare Advantage works by delivering better care, better outcomes, and actual savings. 

Unlike traditional Medicare, Medicare Advantage offers extra benefits like vision, dental, and prescription drug coverage, usually at a lower cost. For seniors living on fixed incomes — especially in Pennsylvania’s rapidly growing elderly population — those savings can make a world of difference. 

But here’s the problem. Lingering Biden Administration cuts to Medicare Advantage mean higher costs, less choice, and fewer services for seniors. The result is a substandard mix of health care options, compromised access, and the lost opportunity to maximize seniors’ quality of life. That’s unacceptable, and it’s frustrating to see policies that negatively target a program that works so well for people who need it most. 

Thankfully, there’s reason to hope. With the second Trump Administration and the nomination of Dr. Mehmet Oz as the new head of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, we now have a chance to turn things around. Dr. Oz has been a vocal supporter of Medicare Advantage and expanding options for seniors. His commitment to improving health care could mean a future where programs like Medicare Advantage are strengthened. 

Here in Pennsylvania, seniors also have an incredible number of options. Seniors in our state are offered at least 34 Medicare Advantage plans, with some counties providing over 70. That kind of choice means seniors can find a plan that fits their unique needs—whether it’s managing a chronic condition, getting preventive care, or affording prescription medications. 

Today, my mother relies on her MA plan to see her doctors, fill prescriptions, and stay healthy. For her, and for so many other seniors and caregivers, Medicare Advantage is about having peace of mind. It’s about knowing they can get the care they deserve when they need it most. 

Dr. Oz’s nomination comes at a crucial time for seniors not only in Pennsylvania but all across the country. We need leadership that understands how important Medicare Advantage is and will fight to protect it. Expanding and strengthening the program means better care, more choices, and less stress for seniors and their families. 

Pennsylvania has shown the rest of the country how successful Medicare Advantage can be. Now it’s time for policymakers in Washington to step up, protect this program, and stop the cuts. Seniors deserve access to affordable, high-quality health care. Medicare Advantage has proven it can deliver exactly that. 

For my mother and for millions of seniors across the state, the stakes couldn’t be higher. I’m hopeful that under new leadership, we’ll see a better path forward — one that puts seniors first and makes Medicare Advantage stronger for years to come.

Don McClure is a caregiver and Pennsylvania native whose mother currently relies on Medicare Advantage.