Writing a letter to the editor of your local newspaper is a good way to inform your community about important issues and to suggest actions that will address the problems. It’s simple to do. Select the newspaper most read in your community and go to the “Opinion” page or the “Letters” page to find instructions for submitting a letter. The Everett Herald, for example, asks you to submit your hard copy letter to: Letters Section, The Daily Herald, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206. You can email the letter to: letters@heraldnet.com. You need to include your name, address and daytime phone number. The paper will not share this with anyone, but uses the information to verify your identity. The Herald has a limit of 250 words. The Seattle Times provides the following instructions: “Join the discussion at let- ters@seattletimes.com. Please include your full name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters are limited to 200 words.”

When writing a letter, focus on one topic. Remember to adhere to the word limit. Be conversational, not academic. It is best to explain how the situation affects you personally. Your members of Congress (or their staff) read the local papers and are alerted when their name comes up. If it’s relevant, include your Representative’s or Senator’s name and either express thanks for their action or tell them why it is important that they act.

We are asking you today to write a letter to your local newspaper, expressing opposition to the WISeR Model, which is adding requirements for prior authorization in Original Medicare. Prepare by reading Robby Stern’s article “CMS Expands Prior Authorization in Original Medicare” in the August, 2025, issue of The Retiree Advocate and Wendell Potter’s and Rachel Madley’s article “Lawmakers Oppose WISeR Program Expanding Prior Authorization in Medicare” in the September Advocate. With that information, you’re ready to write your letter. Below is a sample letter with 250 words (too many for the Times.) Use this as a template. Include examples of harm suffered from prior authorization by you, your family or friends. Call out your Congressperson if she/he hasn’t signed a letter of opposition.

Stir up your community!

Example of a Letter to the Editor:

Contact your Representatives and Senators now and tell them to stop the WISeR (Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction) program by co- sponsoring the Resolution introduced by Representatives Pocan and Schakowsky. This Resolution demands that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) withdraw this program, which requires prior authorization (PA) for certain procedures recommended by physicians for their patients who are on Traditional Medicare. Authorization would be determined by private companies using algorithms or artificial intelligence (AI). These companies will be paid based on how much money they save Medicare-an outrageous incentive to deny necessary care. In Medicare Advantage plans offered by private insurance companies, where PA is already prevalent, patients often face extended delays or denials with coverage deci- sions based on algorithms or AI-driven processes rather than individual medical needs. Misuse of prior authorization by insurance companies, resulting in declining health and even death of patients, has been documented in investigative reports and in Senate hearings. More than 32 major healthcare systems will no longer accept Medicare Advantage, often due to prior authorization requirements. Profit-driven companies prioritize cost-saving measures over what is best for the patient.

About half the Medicare beneficiaries, including me, have chosen Traditional Medicare instead of Medicare Advantage because we trust our doctors with our healthcare more than private insurance companies. We must demand that all of our Representatives co-sponsor the Resolution introduced by Representatives Pocan and Schakowsky, and protect access to timely, medically necessary care for our seniors on Traditional Medicare.

Thank you, [Your Name]

Editor's note: Representatives DelBene, Jayapal, and Smith have already co- sponsored the resolution. If you live in their districts, your letter to the editor could urge people to thank them for their stand.