[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 12794]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                    MEDICARE'S FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. TONKO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. TONKO. Mr. Speaker, access to affordable, quality health care is 
a fundamental value, and Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions of 
Americans live with economic security and dignity for 50 years.
  President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law in 
1965 on the basic principles that access to health care is a right, not 
a privilege, and certainly no one should be forced into poverty because 
of healthcare costs.
  Thirty-four percent of those in New York's capital region that I 
represent depends on these programs, and we must do everything we can 
here in the House to strengthen Medicare and Medicaid.
  No programs have changed the lives of Americans more over the last 50 
years. We cannot strengthen these programs. We cannot ensure the long-
term survival of these programs by passing budgets that turn Medicaid 
into block grants or Medicare into a voucher system.
  Medicare and Medicaid save lives, help people live longer, and 
provide the peace of mind that comes with affordable health care that 
is there when you need it most.
  Moving forward, I hope the House breaks with its recent tradition and 
works together to pass meaningful legislation that boosts these 
programs, like the Affordable Care Act.
  Happy 50th birthday, Medicare. Happy 50th birthday, Medicaid. Here's 
to many, many more.

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