“Today, July 30, marks the 43rd Anniversary of President Johnson’s signing of historic legislation that established Medicare and Medicaid, both of which have proved vital to the health and well-being of millions of Americans over the years.  It is notable that President Johnson chose to sign this landmark legislation into law in Independence, Missouri, with President Truman at his side in recognition of his predecessor’s leadership on health care and his initial call for the creation of a Medicare program some 20 years earlier.

           

“Today, most Americans and most Members of Congress have concluded – correctly so – that Medicare and Medicaid are an essential part of the fabric of our American society.  Most notably, we’ve acted in a bipartisan fashion to protect and preserve both of these programs.  Just two weeks ago, Congress acted in a bipartisan way to expand preventative care benefits, improve mental health services, and enhance assistance programs for low-income seniors and disabled beneficiaries.  It is my hope as we look to the future that Congress can come together again to strengthen the long-term solvency of the Medicare program.”