[Congressional Record Volume 141, Number 126 (Tuesday, August 1, 1995)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1576]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


          A TRIBUTE TO THE MEDICARE PROGRAM'S 30TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______


                           HON. LOUIS STOKES

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, August 1, 1995
  Mr. STOKES. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to the 30th 
anniversary of the Medicare Program--three decades of commitment, 
service, and dedication to providing for the health care needs of our 
Nation's elderly citizens. Signed into law on July 30, 1965, by 
President Johnson, the Medicare Program has a rich history that all 
Americans can be proud of.
  Prior to Medicare only 46 percent of the elderly had health care 
coverage, as a result of Medicare, today 97 percent of the Nation's 
elderly have health care coverage.
  After the implementation of the Medicare Program, the death rates for 
all causes decreased dramatically. From 1960 to the present, the number 
of deaths for Americans ages 65 to 74 has decreased by over a quarter 
of a million--275,000--and for those over the age of 85 the number of 
deaths has decreased by nearly half million--427,000.
  With good medical care, the live expectancy for Americans had 
increased by 6.1 years, increasing from 69.7 years prior to Medicare, 
to 75.8 years today.
  In spite of Medicare's proven success in prolonging elderly 
Americans' independence, and its success in improving their quality of 
life, the Republicans have been steadfast in their commitment to kill 
the Medicare Program. Since day 1, they have attacked the Medicare 
Program from all angles--labeling it as socialized medicine, 
unnecessary, and ill-conceived.
  Thirty years after the establishment of the Medicine Program, the 
Republican assault had not only continued, but as escalated and become 
even more mean spirited. Today, the GOP seeks to destroy the Medicare 
Program through the budget process. The Republican-passed budget 
resolution cuts $270 billion out of the Medicare Program, threatening 
the health of millions of American elderly.
  While the Republicans have never supported the Medicare Program, 
their decision to gut the program's funding in order to give a tax cut 
to the wealthy is one of their most callous acts--not only against the 
Medicare Program--but more importantly, against the elderly citizens 
served by the program.
  The American people must not tolerate the Republicans' blatant 
disregard for the health care needs of the elderly--the GOP's assault 
on the elderly is unconscionable and inhumane.
  Mr. Speaker, when President Johnson signed the Medicare Program into 
law, he stated:

       No longer will older Americans be denied the healing 
     miracle of modern medicine . . . no longer will illness crush 
     and destroy the savings that they have so carefully put away 
     over a lifetime so that they might enjoy dignity in their 
     later years . . . and, no longer will this Nation refuse the 
     hand of justice to those who have given a lifetime of service 
     and wisdom and labor to the progress of this progressive 
     country.

  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in paying tribute to the 
Medicare Program on its 30th anniversary, and to pledge ourselves to 
making its absolutely clear--that we will not allow the Republican 
Party to make our Nation's elderly their pawn in the Republican-tax 
give away scheme for the rich.


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