Cherry Hill, NJ – Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) was named 2015 Medicare Advantage Champion by the Coalition for Medicare Choices. Presented by longtime Voorhees residents Susan and Tom Jelinski on behalf of the 1.8 million members of the Coalition for Medicare Choices, the award recognizes the Congressman’s commitment to protect Medicare Advantage for the millions of seniors and individuals with disabilities who currently depend on its coverage, as well as his efforts to preserve choice and quality for future beneficiaries. 
 
“Our seniors are simply asking for some peace of mind and certainty when it comes to their benefits,” said Congressman Norcross. “ I am thankful to receive the 2015 Medicare Advantage Champion award but I am proud to say that protecting Medicare has been a real team effort that included members of both parties. Not only did we advocate against Medicare Advantage cuts, we put together a bipartisan bill to replace a flawed Medicare payment system. Now that it’s law, we are finally delivering some certainty to our seniors and their doctors and strengthening Medicare for future beneficiaries.”
 
In February, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an “Advance Notice” that health insurers providing Medicare Advantage plans will see additional cuts for 2016 on top of the nearly 10 percent cut that enrollees have already shouldered over the last two years. Additional cuts could risk the health and financial security for countless seniors who rely on Medicare Advantage plans to meet their health care needs. 
 
As a result, Rep. Norcross joined a bipartisan Congressional coalition led by Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) to advocate against the proposed Medicare Advantage (MA) rate cut. Following the Congressman’s advocacy, CMS reversed its position and proposed – not a cut – but rather a 1.25 percent payment increase to MA providers, which CMS has attributed to revised actuarial estimates. 
 
Congressman Norcross will continue fighting on behalf of South Jersey’s seniors to ensure that the Medicare guarantee is preserved and protected for those that rely on its coverage to stay healthy.