Washington, DC—The Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights) outlined its top administrative policy priorities in a memo to President-elect Biden.

Medicare Rights is a national, nonprofit consumer service organization that works to ensure access to affordable health care for older adults and people with disabilities through counseling and advocacy, educational programs, and policy initiatives. Our organization provides services and resources to more than three million people with Medicare, family caregivers, and health care professionals each year, including through our national helpline.

Based on over 30 years of experience, we know that immediate action is needed to protect and improve Medicare as well the health and economic security of those who rely on its coverage. We frequently hear from people with Medicare who are struggling with limited financial resources; rising health care and prescription drug costs; antiquated Medicare coverage and enrollment rules; entrenched and systemic racial injustice and discrimination; and burdensome program requirements. In addition to these longstanding barriers, older adults and people with disabilities have been among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic fallout.

The Biden administration will have a key role in responding to these challenges and shaping Medicare’s future. Therefore, we recently submitted a set of policy recommendations for consideration by the transition team and administration. Among these, we identify administrative pathways to:

• Immediately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic in ways that prioritize older adults and people with disabilities;
• Simplify Medicare enrollment to ensure active, informed, and meaningful beneficiary choice; 
• Reduce barriers to care by making coverage more available, accessible, and affordable; and 
• Address disparities and inequities to improve health care and coverage for all. 

While not an exhaustive list of Medicare Rights’ priorities, these administrative reforms represent a clear, actionable plan to make Medicare stronger, more equitable, easier to navigate, and more affordable. We look forward to working with the Biden administration to advance these important goals.

Read the Medicare Rights’ policy recommendations to the Biden administration.