Commemorating the 45th Anniversary of Medicare

Statement

This week marks an important anniversary in the current political climate. After being signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 30, 1965, on July 1, 1966, the first Medicare enrollees entered this program. Along with food stamps and social security, creating Medicare was one of the proudest achievements of the Democratic Party. Thankfully, many current recipients never had to experience what life was like for senior citizens in the United States before Medicare existed. Seniors can sleep easier, because of Medicare. Coverage is virtually universal amongst those over 65. Despite the increased access to healthcare and life expectancy of American seniors since its implementation, the GOP finds Medicare incidental to the lives of those over 65. On April 15, 2011, House Republicans passed a budget that would end Medicare and replace it with a voucher system for private insurance. This would leave health care decisions for the elderly in the hands of for profit insurance companies and will result in the reduction of benefits and the raising of seniors' costs, many of whom receive fixed income. Republicans argue that the Medicare program cannot be maintained and will throw the baby out with the bathwater. I reject the Republican view that the program must be scrapped and replaced with a new system that shifts costs to seniors. We will continue to fight for Medicare in this country as it is an essential tool that provides reliable and affordable coverage for seniors and persons with disabilities.

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