RI S2465

Rhode Island Senate resolution urging Congress and federal agencies to protect Traditional Medicare and regulate Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, citing concerns that MA plans cost taxpayers $83-127 billion more than Traditional Medicare in 2024 while providing worse coverage

Cites United Health Care's July 2025 decision to abruptly end MA coverage at four major Rhode Island hospitals (Rhode Island Hospital, Hasbro Children's Hospital, The Miriam Hospital, Newport Hospital), disrupting care for over 10,000 patients

Requests Congress require MA plan transparency, increase fraud audits, regulate marketing practices, and prohibit practices like "upcoding," "cherry-picking" healthier enrollees, and using prior authorizations to improperly deny care (approximately 13% denial rate cited)

Notes 54% of Medicare beneficiaries were enrolled in MA plans in 2024, and approximately 53% of large employers require retirees to accept MA plans or lose retirement health benefits

Directs Secretary of State to transmit the resolution to Rhode Island's congressional delegation (Senators Reed and Whitehouse, Representatives Magaziner and Amo) and to the clerks of both chambers of Congress