Thirty-seven years ago this month, Medicare, the first-ever government operated health insurance program for seniors in America, took effect.  The impact of Medicare has been profound, improving the lives of nearly all Americans. 

Medicare was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 30th, 1965.  One year later, July 1, 1966, millions of seniors across this nation began to enjoy the guaranteed health care and protection that Medicare offers.

In the almost four decades since, millions more of our elderly and disabled citizens have come to depend on Medicare for essential and lifesaving services.  Medicare now directly aids nearly one-seventh of America.  Additionally, Medicare indirectly benefits younger people by relieving them of heavy financial responsibility when an elderly member of the family encounters major health expenses.

Many of us are attempting to write a new chapter in Medicare's success story.  Our efforts are being clouded, however, by Republican efforts to dismantle the current system instead of building on its success.  Republicans have been vocal about their desire to privatize the Medicare program and force seniors out of traditional Medicare into private insurance plans that make no promises to seniors about quality and affordability.  They are using the need for a prescription drug benefit as a bait and switch to sign seniors on to their drug plan while privatizing Medicare. 

       Seniors should have guaranteed access to an affordable, voluntary prescription drug plan that is available whether you live in the city or the countryside.  That is what Democrats have been fighting for and will continue to fight for until seniors have a prescription drug benefit they can rely on.

       The House passed a prescription drug benefit in the wee hours before Congress adjourned for the July 4^th recess.  The House Republican leadership stretched a 15 minute vote to an hour while they twisted the arms of members of their own party by making promises that in the end secured them a one vote margin of victory.  It took extraordinary means to pass this legislation, because it is a bad bill, and Democrats are blowing the whistle on this monstrosity. 

       Our seniors deserve better than paying premiums for drug coverage that stops just when it is most needed.  Nearly half of Medicare recipients would fall into the coverage gap, doughnut hole if you please, that is created in the House bill when benefits are cut off at $2,000 and don't resume until the recipient has paid $4900 out of pocket. 

Democrats have a more comprehensive plan with no loopholes.  For a $25 monthly premium and a $100 deductible, which is subsidized for low-income seniors, our plan will cover 80% of prescription drug costs up to $2,000.  Once a beneficiary has reached that threshold, Medicare will pay 100% of the cost.  However, Republicans refuse to let Congress vote on this proposal, or allow amendments to their own plan.  This is an egregious travesty of the Democratic process, and America's seniors suffer as a result.

On this anniversary of Medicare, Democrats remain committed to the program they created, and to which a vast majority of Republicans are as opposed today as they were 37 years ago.  We are fighting an uphill battle to protect the integrity of Medicare and provide the quality benefits that our seniors deserve.  Medicare has proven to be the most successful social program of our time, and we must insure future generations can continue to say that for many years to come.