Families USA Submits Comments On Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes

Families USA has submitted comments to the Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Contract Year 2026 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage Program, Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Program, Medicare Cost Plan Program, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly proposed rule, advocating for access to high-quality, affordable health care for all, especially older adults and Medicare beneficiaries.

Medicare Advantage insurers often engage in practices that harm beneficiaries, such as deceptive marketing, inappropriate care denials, and inflating patient diagnoses without improving care. These practices waste billions in Medicare funds and harm the health and finances of older adults.

Rising healthcare costs are a significant burden on American families, especially those on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, and Medicare Part D. Large drug companies often raise drug prices excessively to maximize profits. This results in U.S. drug prices being two to four times higher than in other countries, causing financial strain for millions of Medicare beneficiaries who struggle to afford their medications.

The 2026 proposed rule includes significant changes to Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D, affecting over 30 million people on Medicare Advantage and 53 million on Medicare Part D.

Our comments focus on improving access to affordable prescription medications, holding insurers accountable for providing quality coverage, and reducing wasteful spending by curbing insurer practices that don’t enhance patient care.