Melissa Ross
As the two massive government programs that insure poor and older Americans turned 50 Thursday, leading insurers in Florida are brushing aside Jeb Bush‘s recent comments that Medicare should be “phased out.”
“We’re not policymakers,” said Michael Lawton, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Florida. Lawton represents the nation’s largest private health insurer serving millions of Medicare and Medicaid members.
“But what I can say is that we remain staunch advocates. We do speak to the incredible benefits that more than 54 million seniors receive via Medicare. Clearly financing of the program has been a topic of discussion for a long time, but we believe a stable, consistent funding program is crucial to maintain its viability long term.”
Lawton spoke about Medicare’s golden anniversary during an appearance on WJCT’s First Coast Connect.
On this anniversary, it’s important to note his company represents a change in the way Medicare and Medicaid benefits are administered that its first supporters could not have foreseen: soaring enrollment with a greater role for private insurers serving more beneficiaries.
Not surprisingly, Lawton likes that trend.
“With respect to the trust fund, what you’re seeing come out of both the federal government and also the private health insurance industry is new and innovative reimbursement methodologies,” he said. “Over time the sustainability of the program will be driven by innovation over reimbursement policies. And seniors really want a lower out-of-pocket cost for staying healthy. I think that will also help drive the cost situation.”
Medicare remains extremely popular, with a recent survey showing 91 percent of those enrolled have a positive view of their benefits.
On the other hand, concerns about cost and sustainability, long simmering, can be expected to bubble up again on the 2016 campaign trail (and to be attacked).
Whether you see Medicare as a success story or a financial drain on the nation’s coffers (or both), what’s clear is that the future of entitlements remains a potent campaign issue in Florida. The program now covers almost 4 million state residents.
