WHY DO DEMOCRATS HATE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE? IT'S THE BEST PROGRAM IN THE ENTIRE U.S. HEALTHCARE SYSTEM, INCLUDING EVEN EMPLOYER-SPONSORED PLANS.

The following information was released by the Independent Institute:

By John C. Goodman

July 13, 2026

A bill introduced by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D., Texas) and co-sponsored by more than 40 House Democrats would sharply reduce government payments to Medicare Advantage plansprivate policies for Medicare enrollees. The bill purports to end practices of questionable value, and the press announcement makes the bill out to be an effort at saving taxpayers money.

Mr. Doggett's floor speech introducing the bill suggested a different motive. He said it would "level the playing field" between traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans.

It is no secret that many congressional Democrats dislike private health insurance even though private insurers were heavily involved in designing ObamaCare. Politicians on the left often speak about the desirability of a "public option." But Medicare has already had a competing public option for more than two decades. It's called traditional Medicare, and it has been losing the competition. More than half of all Medicare enrollees are in private plans.