[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[House]
[Page H7058]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        COMMEMORATING 49TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID

  (Ms. JACKSON LEE asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, thank you President Johnson, and happy 
birthday to Medicaid and Medicare. I am excited about the lives that 
have been saved, and I am looking forward to the full expansion in all 
50 States of Medicaid in 2015, its 50th birthday.
  I will tell you, when President Johnson signed Medicare into law, 
less than 50 percent of our seniors had health insurance and 35 percent 
lived in poverty. Now, over 52.4 million Americans are given health 
care benefits through Medicare, Medicaid, regardless of their 
condition, and then for some also when their income is very low.
  Mr. Speaker, 43.6 million Americans age 65 and above have Medicare 
and Medicaid, including 8.8 million disabled. Our seniors are able to 
be in long-term living because of Medicaid. By the time the baby 
boomers reach 65, it is expected that 80 million people will be covered 
by Medicare.
  What is the common sense and lack thereof of the States that have not 
accepted expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act? Mr. Speaker, 
Medicare and Medicaid together save lives. I am interested in saving 
lives. Let's stand up for the Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and 
Medicaid to save the lives of Americans.

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