Pelosi Remarks Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

Statement

Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks today at an event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Below are the Leader's remarks:

"Good afternoon, everyone. As Doris [Matsui] was speaking, I was looking around the room to see if my daughter was here to hear those wonderful words.

"I don't think she is, but thank you nonetheless. Thank you all. Thank you, Doris Matsui and Jan Schakowsky, for your great leadership as co-Chairs of the Task Force on Seniors -- a task force of the House Democratic Caucus. I'm honored to be here with them, to be here with Rich Fiesta from the Alliance for Retired Americans; Max Richtman, President of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare; and we are all very honored to be here with our very special guests, Susan Taylor, Member of the Alliance for Retired Americans; and Bruce Smith, Member of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. They are our special guests today, as are each and every one of you. So thank you. Thank you for what you do.

"At the signing ceremony 50 years ago, President Johnson said -- at the signing ceremony of Medicare and Medicaid -- he said: "No longer will poor and older Americans be denied the miracle of modern medicine.' He went on to say: "No longer will illness crush and destroy the savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime so that they might enjoy dignity in their later years. No longer will young families see their own incomes and their own hopes eaten away simply because they are carrying out their deep moral obligation to their parents, and to their uncles, and to their aunts.' Yet, as we go into this election year, we see candidates for president talking about wanting to phase out Medicare. Isn't that a bad idea? We are not for that.

"We must not allow the promise of Medicare and Medicaid to be undermined or be betrayed. We must strengthen, not cut, or voucher, or block grant these essential pillars of America's health and economic security. Our improvements in Medicare have saved over 300,000 more lives in 2013 compared to 1999 -- saved over 300,000 lives in a period of 14 years. It's quite remarkable.

"As has been mentioned, and I appreciate the mention of ACA, the Affordable Care Act -- and I accept the compliment that was extended by Doris Matsui on behalf of all of my House Democrats and the Democrats in the Senate as well who had the courage to support and fight for the Affordable Care Act. We see it as another pillar along with Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid, Affordable Care Act. And, as has been mentioned, we extended the life of the Medicare Trust until 2030 -- 13 years longer than what was projected in 2009 before the ACA was passed. And with the recent SGR, which we did in a bipartisan fashion, with the bipartisan permanent fix to SGR, we've ensured that seniors will have access to the doctors and health care they need for years to come.

"Remember, when they did Social Security they were hoping to do health care they just couldn't get there until it was a number of years later. And anyway, at the time that Medicare was passed a gentleman who is with us today was in the chair, he had the gavel, and that was appropriate. He was a young Member of Congress, still is but was then also.

"And he was carrying on the tradition, a great tradition of his father. Congressman Dingell, Chairman Dingell. And when he came to Congress he continued that tradition. And that desire, that prospect -- in the 30s of affordable care and Medicare -- health care for seniors. The dream came through, and John Dingell gaveled down Medicare. Isn't that fabulous?

"Each congressional term he served, beginning in 1955, he introduced legislation to secure affordable health care for all Americans. In 1965, as I said, he held the gavel in his hands as Medicare became the law. Do you happen to have that gavel with you today? He brought it to us.

"In 2010, more than a half a century later, it was my privilege to hold that same gavel in my hand as we passed the Affordable Care Act. Now it's my privilege to introduce the dean, as his license plate says, the great chairman John Dingell."

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