[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 9]
[House]
[Page 13019]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   MEDICARE-MEDICAID 50TH ANNIVERSARY

  (Mr. GALLEGO asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. GALLEGO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to celebrate the 50th 
anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid.
  For half a century, these critical programs have provided 
irreplaceable health and economic lifelines for countless Americans.
  In my congressional district alone, over 250,000 Arizonans rely on 
Medicaid for access to quality, affordable health care, while nearly 
60,000 seniors depend on Medicare to cover their healthcare costs. 
However, this anniversary isn't just a time for celebration; it is also 
an opportunity to recommit ourselves to strengthening America's social 
safety net.
  Instead of dangerous cuts, we should be considering meaningful 
solutions to the serious problems that Americans of all ages are 
currently facing, from the rising costs of prescription drugs to the 
unmet needs of our caregivers.
  Unfortunately, some prominent Republicans, including leading 
Presidential candidates, would have you believe that we need to phase 
out these important programs. That is nonsense.
  Mr. Speaker, I can't imagine telling Latinos who rely on Medicare--
half of them have incomes below $14,000--that we need to phase out 
their health care.
  I am extremely proud to have fought for the Medicaid expansion in my 
home State of Arizona, and I look forward to continuing to work with my 
colleagues here in Congress to protect and improve Medicaid and 
Medicare for future generations.

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