To the Journal editor:

I’ve been a carpenter my entire adult life, a member of MRCC Carpenter Millwright Local 1510, and I can tell you that working Michiganders support the lawmakers who understand what our needs are as well.

Given the physical nature of our jobs, this is especially the case when it comes to our long-term healthcare. I’m asking all concerned citizens and Congress to take appropriate action to ensure sure the Medicare Advantage program gets the adequate funding it needs to operate.

Medicare Advantage isn’t just a healthcare program, it’s an entire support system helping seniors age with dignity. Medical, dental, vision, and hearing are all included, unlike other traditional Medicare options and Medicare Advantage lets us choose the benefits we need. But it doesn’t lock us into just one option.

I have worked with my hands my whole life and I wouldn’t change it for anything. However, it means I am prone to a fair number of work-related injuries, some of which pop up unexpectedly. Medicare Advantage gets that, because when health issues come up, I can switch my benefits without any hassle.

The preventative and wellness programs are extremely helpful, as well. One would think all this would cost a significant amount of money but I get all of this for an affordable $18 per month.

Medicare Advantage is the program that working seniors and our families want and need to keep an adequate quality of life at a price we can afford. It offers options we can’t get anywhere else, and we do not want to see any more cuts to the program.

With a new administration in charge in Washington, it’s the perfect time for our lawmakers to work together to protect seniors and support Medicare Advantage funding. The members of Congress who do that are the ones who will get our votes.

Sincerely,