[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 123 (Thursday, July 27, 1995)]
[House]
[Page H7806]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                            SUPPORT MEDICARE

  (Ms. McCARTHY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. McCARTHY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate Medicare's 30th 
anniversary. It was approved by this great legislative body on July 27, 
1965.
  We sometimes take for granted Medicare and the impact Medicare has 
had on our seniors. Prior to Medicare, only 46 percent of our seniors 
had any health insurance. While those over 65 suffered the highest 
poverty rate, with almost a third living in poverty, today virtually 
every senior has health insurance. Medicare has been enormously 
successfully in ameliorating the suffering of our seniors while 
providing them with the dignity of knowing that health care will be 
there when they need it.
  As a freshman, I was somewhat perplexed and surprised by my 
Republican colleagues' attack on this program without offering real 
reform. I have recently studied the history of Medicare enactment. 
President Harry Truman first introduced Medicare legislation in 1952.
  For 13 years until its signing in law by President Johnson, 
Republicans voted overwhelmingly and consistently against Medicare. 
Republican antipathy on Medicare remains. They continue to try to 
dismantle this very successful program. This Congress should work to 
preserve what has been successful in improving the lives of our 
seniors.
  On Sunday, let us celebrate a happy 30th birthday to Medicare and 
pledge to our seniors our support in protecting this successful 
program.


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