Murray Statement on the 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
(Washington, D.C.) – Today, Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Patty Murray (D-WA) released the following statement to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, which were signed into law on July 30, 1965.
“Fifty years ago, President Johnson signed into law a promise to our nation’s seniors and low-income families that they would be able to access the health care they need to live longer, healthier lives, and since then Medicare and Medicaid have been vital to protecting the health, well-being, and economic security of millions of American families. Protecting and strengthening these programs are critical parts of making sure our economy is working for all seniors and families, not just the wealthiest few.
“I’m proud of the work that has been accomplished in recent years to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid even further, and we must continue to work to offer families more affordability, expand coverage, and improve quality of care. I know some in Congress are focused on rolling back or privatizing these programs, and that is completely unacceptable. Families in Washington state and across the country deserve Medicare and Medicaid systems that work for them, and I am going to continue to fight to preserve and advance these programs so they can continue to be strong for generations to come.”
