Rep. Matsui Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
CONTACTS:
Julie Eddy(202) 225-7163
Rep. Matsui Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
Celebration tomorrow brings together seniors, community leaders and Members of Congress to recognize five decades of successful programs
Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-06), co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus Seniors Task Force, will join advocacy groups and House Democrats tomorrow to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid becoming law. In anticipation of the event, Congresswoman Matsui released the following statement:
"This is a milestone year for Medicare and Medicaid—both programs turn 50 years old. Together, these two programs provide health coverage for our nation's seniors, people with disabilities and families. Without Medicare and Medicaid, and without the Affordable Care Act, which expanded and strengthened them, millions of people would not have access to routine screenings and preventive care, prenatal and maternity care, long-term services and supports or the care that they need when they get sick.
"Our celebration is a part of a coordinated Month of Action led by the Democratic Caucus and the Seniors Task Force to recognize the anniversaries and critical importance of the Older Americans Act, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. We have held events in DC and in our home districts. We have introduced resolutions to show our support for these programs. We have done Twitter storms and social media. We have made our voices heard wherever we can.
"I thank all my colleagues who have taken action throughout the month to let our constituents know that we care about these programs. We must continue to do our part to protect these Medicare and Medicaid and expand them for future generations."
Groups attending the celebration:
o AARP
o Access Living
o AFL-CIO
o AFSCME
o Alliance for Retired Americans
o Alzheimer's Association
o American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA)
o APWU Retirees
o B'nai B'rith International
o Caring Across Generations
o Center for Medicare Advocacy
o Christopher andamp; Dana Reeve Foundation
o Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD)
o Families USA
o Justice in Aging
o Medicare Rights Center
o National Association of Elder Law Attorneys
o National Committee to Preserve Social Security andamp; Medicare
o National Council for Independent Living (NCIL)
o SEIU
o The Arc
o Visiting Nurses Association of America
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