Medicare's Fiftieth Anniversary

Floor Speech

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Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, access to affordable, quality health care is a fundamental value, and Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions of Americans live with economic security and dignity for 50 years.

President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law in 1965 on the basic principles that access to health care is a right, not a privilege, and certainly no one should be forced into poverty because of healthcare costs.

Thirty-four percent of those in New York's capital region that I represent depends on these programs, and we must do everything we can here in the House to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid.

No programs have changed the lives of Americans more over the last 50 years. We cannot strengthen these programs. We cannot ensure the long-term survival of these programs by passing budgets that turn Medicaid into block grants or Medicare into a voucher system.

Medicare and Medicaid save lives, help people live longer, and provide the peace of mind that comes with affordable health care that is there when you need it most.

Moving forward, I hope the House breaks with its recent tradition and works together to pass meaningful legislation that boosts these programs, like the Affordable Care Act.

Happy 50th birthday, Medicare. Happy 50th birthday, Medicaid. Here's to many, many more.

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