Help Move Georgia Forward
Release: Thursday, July 30, 2015
Democratic Party of Georgia Celebrates 50 Years of Medicare
Atlanta, GA – Today, Democratic Party of Georgia Chair DuBose Porter issued the following statement on the 50th anniversary of Medicare.
“Fifty years ago today, President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law, giving peace of mind to millions of retired Americans. As a result, people could finally enjoy their golden years without fear of losing their savings and pensions because of medical costs.
“If Republican leaders had their way, Medicare as we know it would be obliterated. A safe and secure retirement would be a distant memory. Every year—like clockwork—Republicans push to turn Medicare in to a voucher program, placing insurance companies on the honor system and leaving seniors with nothing more than a coupon.
“And here in Georgia, Nathan Deal and his party’s leaders refuse federal funds—our own tax dollars—to expand Medicaid and give hundreds of thousands of Georgians access to the preventative services and health care they deserve. Republicans are turning a blind eye to our struggling rural hospitals. The solution of Medicaid expansion is right there for the taking, but rural health systems remain in critical condition because of political games.
“As a community, we have a moral obligation to protect those who are most vulnerable and fulfill a promise made to American workers who contributed to our nation’s economy for decades. Medicare has been a success for 50 years and we must do everything possible to preserve and protect this essential safety net.”
###
Background
DNC – Checking in with GOP 2016ers on the 50th Anniversary to Medicare and Medicaid
For the past 50 years, Medicare and Medicaid have lifted countless Americans out of poverty and given millions of seniors and families the peace of mind that comes with affordable health coverage. The Affordable Care Act built on this legacy by strengthening the Medicare trust fund, keeping it solvent until 2030.
If we want Medicare and Medicaid to be around for another 50 years, we need to protect these programs from GOP presidential candidates who want to destroy them. Here’s where they stand:
September 20, 2024
September 19, 2024
September 18, 2024