Recognizing the 50th Anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare

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Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid.

In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the Social Security Act into law--establishing the groundbreaking programs of Medicare and Medicaid and guaranteeing that a wide range of health and medical services would be available to millions of Americans previously ineligible or unable to attain basic healthcare.

Prior to this law, over half of our nation's seniors did not have access to health insurance. Yet one year after its establishment, 19 million seniors and disabled individuals were provided coverage. That figure has grown dramatically; for the last half century, Medicare and Medicaid have provided vital healthcare

services to countless seniors, individuals with disabilities and low-income families. By 2014, 54 million Americans relied on Medicare for quality health care and economic security, while 69 million--including one in three children--are benefited by Medicaid and its services.

Mr. Speaker, please join me in celebrating the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. I look forward to continuing to strengthen and protect Medicare and Medicaid to ensure that the promise of health and economic security will be there for generations to come.

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