Policy Objectives

At Seniors Speak Out, we are dedicated to advancing health policies that improve the well-being of seniors across the nation. Our policy objectives reflect our commitment to increasing access to cures, therapies, and healthcare services to better the lives of older adults. Explore our initiatives below.

Check out our sister website MedicareToday.org for more information on safeguarding Medicare and protecting its beneficiaries.  

Price Controls:

As government-imposed price controls become a more popular lever among federal policymakers, we stand against their shortsighted application to segments of the drug supply chain. Analyses from other countries where these policies exist show that price controls stifle therapeutic research and hinder critical investments in the development of innovative therapies, ultimately, jeopardizing the availability of advanced medications and treatments. Instead, we advocate for other solutions that incentivize medical advancements for patients while ensuring access to affordable healthcare options for seniors.

Here are a few blog posts to explain the harm caused by the latest price control policy developments:

“March-In” Rights:

We oppose the Biden Administration’s improper use of “march-in” rights by proposing the recent Bayh-Dole Act framework, which no federal agency has exercised in the 40 years since the law was enacted. March-in rights were never intended to permit the government to intervene in a product's pricing. Exercising march-in rights here constitutes significant federal government overreach, which poses a direct threat to private investment in medical research and development by discouraging innovation and hindering the development of lifesaving medications and treatments.

We believe in fostering an environment that encourages private investment and enhancements that address concerns related to the affordability and accessibility of pharmaceutical products.

Below are a few blog posts on this topic:

Protecting Medicare Advantage:

We strive to safeguard Medicare Advantage, a program that provides seniors with additional healthcare benefits beyond traditional Medicare. Our advocacy efforts focus on preserving and enhancing Medicare Advantage to ensure seniors have access to comprehensive and coordinated healthcare services.

Check out these two blog posts to learn more: Stand Alone or Take Advantage? & Making Medicare Advantage Even More Advantageous.

Part D Smoothing:

We advocate for the successful implementation of the new Part D financial smoothing mechanisms to help seniors better manage their prescription drug costs. Part D smoothing aims to spread out-of-pocket expenses over the year to provide greater financial consistency, predictability, and relief for Medicare beneficiaries.

More information is available on Medicare Part D here.

Telehealth:

We also champion the expansion of telehealth services to improve access to care for seniors, especially those living in rural or underserved areas. As one of the COVID-19 pandemic’s silver linings, telehealth enables older adults to receive medical care remotely and promotes  convenience, safety, and timely access to healthcare professionals.

Check out this website to learn more here.