Will Senator Bill Cassidy Betray President Trump Again?
As the “Big, Beautiful Bill” is being considered in the U.S. Senate, one powerful group is genuinely concerned about potential backroom deals being cut by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA).
Medicare Advantage Majority launched an advertising campaign in Louisiana targeting Senator Cassidy’s efforts to cut the program, which serves approximately 500,000 people in the state, more than 50% of those eligible for Medicare. Medicare Advantage Majority, represents more than 34 million Americans who are the beneficiaries of Medicare Advantage, as well as their caregivers. Both seniors and Americans with disabilities utilize this program and depend on it to maintain their quality of life.
The advertisement refers to Cassidy’s maneuverings as a “betrayal” and encourages him to support President Donald Trump and defend seniors as the “Big, Beautiful Bill” is being debated in the U.S. Senate. President Trump campaigned on a platform of fully funding Medicare after cuts were made during the Biden administration. He told U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO) that “People who play around with Medicare lose elections.”
President Trump is 100% right. Medicare Advantage offers life-saving care that is affordable and high quality. It is especially important for those Americans living with chronic conditions. Consequently, the program is extremely popular with our nation’s seniors and their family members and caregivers. Republicans like Senator Cassidy would be foolish to harm seniors and prevent President Trump from keeping his campaign promise. This would be political suicide for Republicans in the 2026 midterm elections.
Unfortunately, Senator Cassidy has a history of betraying President Trump. In February of 2021, after President Trump had already left office, Cassidy voted to convict him on a charge of “incitement to insurrection.” He claimed that Trump wanted Senators to “be intimidated” and that he voted to convict him “because he is guilty.” By voting to cut Medicare Advantage, Senator Cassidy would not only be disloyal to President Trump again, but he would also show tremendous disregard to the seniors in Louisiana who depend on this program. Medicare Advantage allows seniors in Louisiana access to low-cost, high quality health care coverage and improves their quality of life.
It is also an especially important program for traditionally underserved communities, minorities and those making lower incomes. Medicare Advantage includes built-in coverage for prescription drugs, dental, hearing, and vision care, often with little or no monthly premium. There is an “Extra Benefit Card” which allows seniors to purchase healthy foods or over-the-counter medication. Medicare Advantage focuses on preventive care, as well as valuable services that promote healthy living and quality of life, such as meal delivery, in-home support, fitness benefits, and transportation to medical appointments.
After years of cuts during the Biden administration, the Trump administration announced that Medicare Advantage would receive a rate increase of 5.06% for 2026. This indicates the importance of this vital program to President Trump. A recent poll showed that Medicare recipients were “more confident” with President Trump in office. However, such confidence would be destroyed if Republicans like Senator Cassidy slash this popular and effective program.
There is plenty of wasteful spending to cut in the federal budget, but vital services for seniors and those with disabilities must be protected. Not surprisingly, a recent poll discovered that 82% of seniors are opposed to cuts to Medicare Advantage and believe it would have a “negative impact on their financial well-being.”
According to Darren Grubb, spokesperson for Medicare Advantage Majority, cuts to the program would “have real-life consequences like higher costs, fewer benefits, and less access to trusted doctors.” He also noted that most “Medicare Advantage beneficiaries living on less than $25,000 annually…are depending on their elected leaders to stand up and protect the care they count on – and expect them to do so in the weeks and months ahead.”
Will Senator Cassidy support President Trump, listen to his constituents and withdraw his reckless proposals to slash Medicare Advantage? Every senior in Louisiana and throughout the nation needs to pay extremely close attention to this issue as it is debated in the U.S. Senate.
