Since President Johnson signed them into law on July 30, 1965, Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions of people receive necessary health care services. These programs are some of the most integral legislation ever passed and they continue to protect Americans throughout the country.
Health care is not a luxury. It is a necessity no child or adult, regardless of income, should live without. My first elected position was at the Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, now the University Medical Center of Southern Nevada.
At the time, health care was not guaranteed to seniors. Many seniors were required to have a family member co-sign for them when being treated to ensure responsibility for their medical costs. If you could not produce a signature, you were turned away, and if you were fortunate enough to have health insurance, you paid more than 50 percent of the cost out-of-pocket. It was a terrible system.
Medicare and Medicaid were implemented during my tenure on the Hospital Board and I learned firsthand the importance of these programs. I’ve made it my life’s work to maintain and strengthen these programs since.
It has been 51 years since Medicare and Medicaid became law. Although much has changed in terms of medicine and technology, the need for quality, affordable health care has not.
I will never stop fighting to protect and strengthen these successful programs on behalf of the millions they assist. In 2010, I proudly cast my vote in support of the Affordable Care Act, which is strengthening Medicare and working to keep seniors’ hard-earned savings in their own pockets.
Since this law was enacted, millions of seniors throughout the country have saved more than $20.8 billion dollars on their prescription drug costs. Medicare also now covers certain preventive services for seniors without charging the Part B coinsurance or deductible.
The law has also given states the option of expanding their Medicaid programs so that more low-income seniors can access the care they need.
Medicare and Medicaid are two of our nation’s most important programs, particularly for seniors, low-income individuals, and other vulnerable populations.
This is why my Democratic colleagues and I will continue to support Medicare and Medicaid and fight against attempts to undermine and destroy these effective programs. We must ensure that these key lifelines are always available to the Americans who need them.
