Pallone Visits Senior Center to Celebrate 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

Statement

Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) visited the Bayshore Senior Center in Keansburg, NJ to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and to highlight the need to continue the fight in Congress to protect and strengthen the programs. Pallone was joined by Keansburg Mayor Thomas Foley and Deputy Mayor George Hoff.

Pallone made the following statement on the anniversary of the programs.

"Over the last 50 years, few programs have changed the lives of Americans more than Medicare and Medicaid. Before they were established, much of our country lacked the care and health security they deserved. Today, Medicaid provides 71 million low-income Americans, many of them children and seniors, with affordable health insurance and the peace of mind that comes with it. Before Medicare was enacted, almost half of all seniors lacked health insurance, but now, Medicare provides health care to almost every American over 65.

"I am proud to have prioritized strengthening and protecting these programs in Congress over the years -- and we have made progress. More than half a million additional New Jerseyans are now eligible for coverage as a result of the Affordable Care Act's Medicaid expansion. While New Jersey and more than 30 other states expanded Medicaid, there are 20 that have not -- essentially robbing their citizens of the health care they deserve. We will continue fighting until everyone in New Jersey and throughout the country gains the security of coverage.

"As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, we cannot become complacent. We in Congress must recommit ourselves to further strengthening these lifesaving programs and protecting the promise we have made to our nation's seniors and most vulnerable."

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