[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12746]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   MEDICARE AND MEDICAID ANNIVERSARY

  (Ms. DUCKWORTH asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. DUCKWORTH. Mr. Speaker, yesterday marked the 48th anniversary of 
the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid. Since Medicare was signed 
into law in 1965, millions of Americans have relied on the crucial 
programs to live their lives in dignity, and millions more who have 
paid into the system are counting on Medicare to one day provide them 
with quality health care.
  This historic commitment and pledge from our country is one of our 
greatest achievements. Seniors like my mother, and those living with 
disabilities, all understand the essential role Medicare plays in the 
lives of so many Americans.
  In April, I held a roundtable with constituents in Elk Grove Village, 
Illinois. They all stressed to me the importance of protecting and 
preserving Medicare, but also on cracking down on abuse and fraud that 
exists in the program.
  I have met with people living with disabilities who rely on these 
benefits for their health services. As we celebrate and acknowledge the 
great benefits of Medicare, it is important that we reinforce our 
commitment to the program, even as we cut down on the waste and fraud. 
We must continue our fight to strengthen and enhance Medicare and 
fulfill our 48-year-old promise to millions of hardworking Americans 
across this great Nation.

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