Congressman Joe Garcia's Statement on Medicare/Medicaid Anniversary

Press Release

Today, marks the 49th anniversary of the Medicare and Medicaid healthcare programs. The programs, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965, guarantee healthcare coverage for millions of Americans.

"As I visit the many senior centers in my district, I see firsthand how these programs impact the lives of my constituents and their families. For half a century, these programs have provided millions of seniors and hard working people with access to the healthcare they need and deserve " declared Garcia. "I am committed to working to strengthen and improve this system so that we can preserve a solvent, efficient program that Americans can depend on."

As part of his efforts to protect Medicare, Congressman Joe Garcia has led several efforts to preserve, modernize, and improve the healthcare programs. Just last week, Congressman Garcia joined the State Medicaid Expansion Caucus (SMEC) calling on state governors and legislators to accept federal funding to make expand Medicaid in their respective states. In Florida, the Governor and the State Legislature have failed to accept $51 billion for health services offered by the federal government. Because of this inaction, our taxpayer money is currently being spent on those in other states who have accepted these funds, rather than being spent on those greatly in need in our own state of Florida.

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