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Three GOP Governors Complain About Medicare Advantage Increases

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — Governor Rick Scott, along with two other southern governors, have sent a letter to President Barack Obama to complain about announced increases in Medicare Advantage payments.

Scott, along with Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, signed the April 15 letter that says changes to Medicare Advantage payments will harm "America's seniors." The changes are blamed on the nation's health care overhaul.

The letter contends an announcement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that payments will increase "amounts to little more than political theater."

CMS earlier this month said 2015 payments should increase less than 1 percent overall. Analysts expect actual funding to fall when many other variables are considered.

This might lead to fewer changes for the privately-run plans, which serve nearly 16 million people, or about 30 percent of all Medicare beneficiaries.

(TM and © Copyright 2014 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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