Obamacare

Floor Speech

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Mr. RUBIO. One of the things I have discussed is the impact ObamaCare is having on Medicare and Medicare beneficiaries. Obviously, being from Florida, we have a significant number of Medicare beneficiaries and, in particular, people who are under something called Medicare Advantage. This is the only program in Medicare where seniors get to choose the type of coverage they want and things of that nature. My mom is a Medicare Advantage patient.

I wish to read a letter I received from a constituent of mine named Michelle Hatley, who lives in Destin, FL, which is in northwest Florida. This is a letter she received regarding her existing doctors. She also received a letter from one of her providers that talks about the changes that are happening. She sent this document attached to it. She states:

Here is a copy of the letter that I received from White Wilson Medical Group. As I indicated in our conversation, Sacred Heart might also be affected. My Medicare Advantage plan was the Medicare Completer through AARP and United Health Care. I have multiple chronic conditions which require treatment and consultation through several doctors. Three of my doctors are with White Wilson and 3 are with Sacred Heart. My rheumatologist, who directs my care for treatment of 2 autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, is with Sacred Heart and the only Rheumatologist in Destin. I am also legally blind, so transport to another doctor out of town is both difficult to arrange and expensive.

Of the plans that are available that will allow me to keep my doctors, the annual out of pocket is significantly higher as well as the co-payments and deductibles for patient visits, prescription drugs, and inpatient care. My choice has been reduced to finding ALL new doctors or enrolling in a different Medicare Advantage plan, which will cost more.

I wanted the Senator to be aware that Medicare clients are experiencing negative consequences from the ACA as well.

Since that time, after this experience, she has been able to find a plan that will help her avoid losing all six of her doctors, including her five specialists and the primary care physician. This is the catch: The new plan's out-of-pocket costs are now going from the $4,000-to-$4,500 range up to an expected $5,900. It was a tough decision for her to make, but she ultimately decided to pay more money in order to keep seeing all of her doctors who have been treating her for the past 4 to 6 years.

This is a real-life story of a Medicare Advantage recipient in this country whose out-of-pocket costs are going up because of ObamaCare. It is wrong. It is unfair. It should not stand.

I yield the floor.

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