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Hudson Resident Appears In TV Ad, Speaks In D.C.

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By MEGAN HUSSEY, Tribune correspondent

Published: December 29, 2007

HUDSON - A television commercial that advocates Medicare Advantage features a Hudson resident who also has addressed Congress about the issue.

Barbara Badali has strong views about the Medicare system. In October, she was invited to express them in Washington before an audience of Congress members.
Badali was one of three featured guest speakers from Florida at the Medicare Advantage Grassroots Forum, which took place Oct. 24 on Capitol Hill.

"The whole objective was to help us maintain Medicare Advantage, to keep it from being cut," Badali said.

"It was a delight to represent WellCare Health Plans, my Medicare provider, at this event."

At the forum, sponsored by the Coalition of Medicare Choices, Badali addressed Congress about what she perceived as the value of her Medicare plan.

"WellCare has been around for 20 years and has been very good for senior citizens," she told them. "We don't have a co-pay for office visits to a physician. We don't pay for specialists. Generic drugs are free. And it has a fitness program to keep us well."

It was this enthusiasm, said Badali, that inspired Jayne Cammon, her benefits consultant at WellCare, to select her as their customer spokeswoman.

"Jayne heard me refer someone to the program, and she said, 'You're the right person,'" she said.

Aside from addressing Congress and meeting Sen. Mel Martinez, R-Fla., Badali appeared in an informational commercial for the Coalition of Medicare Choices, which airs nationwide. Also, she participated in the Rally on the Hill for Medicare Advantage, in which forum participants marched on Capitol Hill holding red umbrellas to represent their support of Medicare.
Badali also attended a welcome dinner and breakfast, and enjoyed an extensive tour of Washington, seeing landmarks such as the Washington Memorial Gardens and the White House.

"This trip was a big honor," Badali said. "What a thrill. I couldn't believe it."

And what message does Badali hope stays with the politicians in Washington?

"We are the seniors," she told them at the culmination of her Capitol Hill address. "And we care."

MEDICARE COALITION

SOME BACKGROUND: Hudson resident Barbara Badali was among the featured guest speakers at the Medicare Advantage Grassroots Forum, sponsored by the Coalition for Medicare Choices.

COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS: The Coalition for Medicare Choices, according to a news release, "is a rapidly growing organization of Medicare beneficiaries. They advocate quality healthcare and expanded health plan choices."

A LITTLE HISTORY: The coalition includes 400 members living in 48 states. It hosted the grassroots forum to "demonstrate to members of Congress the strength of opposition to Medicare Advantage funding cuts."

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