Washington, Dec 14, 2001 - Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), recently cosponsored legislation to guarantee seniors access to medical plans when their Medicare HMO reduces services, raises costs or drops their doctors or hospital from the plan.

"Seniors are more susceptible to changes in their health than any other age group," Congressman Kucinich said. "Their budgets often can't handle fluctuations in health care costs and choices that are so common with health maintenance organizations. During their Golden Years, a senior shouldn't have to choose between keeping warm and keeping well."

Congressman Kucinich has been an outspoken critic of the Medicare+Choice program for its instability and pattern of increasing costs while reducing services. This fall, Medicare+Choice plans dropped more than half a million seniors nationally, with at least 2500 seniors in Cuyahoga County affected by the withdrawal of the Renaissance health plan. Kucinich says seniors must be protected from the volatile marketplace and has cosponsored the Medicare+Choice Consumer Protection Act. The bill guarantees seniors access to certain Medicap Plans when their Medicare HMO coverage changes.

Kucinich said seniors should be reminded that December is a "Special Election Period" allowing seniors to make better choices with more health insurance options. "Any senior wishing to return to traditional Medicare after learning about changes in their Medicare+Choice program can now make that change without fear they will be denied coverage due to their medical history," Kucinich said. In order to take advantage of this enrollment period, a senior must leave their Medicare HMO by December 31st and has until March 4, 2002 to enroll in Medigap A,B,C, or F. For further information, call Congressman Kucinich's Lakewood Office, 216.228.8850.