By Bobby Jindal and Charlie Katebi
President Biden accuses Republicans of seeking to cut Medicare. In his 2025 budget proposal to Congress, Mr. Biden vowed to “reject any efforts to cut or undermine the Medicare or Social Security benefits that seniors and people with disabilities have earned and paid into their entire working lives.” That’s a noble promise, but Mr. Biden’s own administration is undermining Medicare’s most popular and effective program: Medicare Advantage.
This year, the number of Medicare Advantage plans available to seniors decreased nationwide. In Alabama, Louisiana and New Mexico, the number of plans available decreased more than 20%. At the same time, Medicare Advantage plans have become significantly more expensive on Mr. Biden’s watch. In 2023 the average Medicare Advantage beneficiary experienced a 12% increase in deductible and a 5% increase in premiums. In Florida, Utah and Wyoming, premiums increased by more than 50%.
