Medicare Advantage (MA), also known as Part C, has become the dominant path through which older adults receive Medicare coverage. More than half of all beneficiaries — roughly 33–34 million people — are enrolled in plans operated by private insurers. These plans promise convenience and financial protection, including caps on out‑of‑pocket spending and some extra benefits not found in Original Medicare. At the same time, MA brings challenges that stem directly from how the program is designed, and these structural incentives can affect access to timely care, especially for people with complex health needs or limited provider options.

On April 29th, U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) introduced the Medicare for All Act of 2025 to the US Congress. This legislation would provide comprehensive Medicare coverage to every American with no premiums, no co-payments and no deductibles, and would expand Medicare to include dental, hearing, and vision care. Estimates indicate that a Medicare for All system could save $650 billion and 68,000 lives every year.