House Democrats Celebrate the 52nd Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

Press Release

Today, House Democrats, led by the Seniors Task Force, the Democratic Women's Working Group, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY), and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi marked the 52nd anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid with an anniversary party in the U.S. Capitol. The Medicare and Medicaid programs were created on July 30th, 1965 when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Act into law. After the celebration, the members released the following statements:

"Medicare and Medicaid are national treasures," said Seniors Task Force Co-Chairs Doris Matsui and Jan Schakowsky. "The Seniors Task Force is proud to celebrate the many ways these vital programs have helped seniors, mothers, children, and people with disabilities over the past 52 years. Our celebration is especially important this year, with Republicans threatening to privatize, block-grant, and cut funds from the programs Americans know and love. As we look forward, we must do everything we can to preserve and improve Medicare and Medicaid for generations to come."

"When President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law, he made a bedrock promise to seniors and hard-working families that they would never "be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine,'" said Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi. "Today, we celebrate the transformative power of those initiatives, and renew our solemn pledge to protect the health and pocketbooks of hard-working American families -- no matter how many times Republicans try to rip away Americans' health care."

"For 52 years, Medicare and Medicaid have provided more than just a safety net -- they have provided a lifeline to millions of Americans," said Chairman Crowley (D-NY). "With Medicare and Medicaid, we made a promise to take care of those who need health care the most. This is a promise we must continue to keep. Today, as we celebrate these vital programs, we renew our commitment to keep fighting against any harmful legislation attacking our country's most vulnerable."

"As Republicans continue their efforts to slash and burn the Affordable Care Act, Democrats offer a better deal to Americans living paycheck to paycheck: lowering the cost of prescription drugs, protecting our grandparents in nursing homes, easing the cost of services for children with disabilities, and providing life-saving programs that offer critical support to millions of women including the healthy birth of their children," said DWWG Chair Lois Frankel, Vice Chair Brenda Lawrence, and Policy and Communications Chair Jackie Speier.