[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12526]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               48TH ANNIVERSARY OF MEDICARE AND MEDICAID

  (Ms. SCHAKOWSKY asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute.)
  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Madam Speaker, I rise this afternoon to celebrate the 
48th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid and the security they provide 
for seniors and persons with disabilities, half of whom live on less 
than $22,000, total, a year. Half of all seniors before Medicare had no 
insurance at all.
  Listen to my constituent, Nan Anderson from Evanston:

       It was a tremendous relief to become eligible for Medicare. 
     Basically, I am a well person but have had some costly 
     procedures, all of which have been covered. Currently, I am 
     recovering from a spinal fusion. If it weren't for Medicare, 
     I would never have reached this point. Without the surgery, I 
     would likely have been reduced to a dependent person. Now I 
     know that I will be able to walk normally and unaided for 
     several years.

  We made improvements in Medicare in ObamaCare--lower drug costs, free 
preventive services, fraud-cutting, and improved quality. Medicaid pays 
for 40 percent of all long-term care costs.
  Today, I voice my support for Medicare and Medicaid and my vigorous 
opposition to benefit cuts that will harm those who depend on them.

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