Rep. Dingell Highlights 56th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

WASHINGTON, July 31 -- Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Michigan, issued the following statement on July 30, 2021:

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Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) released the following statement on the 56th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid being signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 30, 1965:

"We often speak about improving our broken healthcare system because so many Americans - whether they're seniors, people with disabilities, low-income households, or more - can't access affordable healthcare or can't get past insurance hurdles to get the care they need. Over the last 16 months, we've seen how critical access to healthcare is - it's a matter of life and death.

"We're the only industrialized nation that doesn't guarantee all of its citizens healthcare. This needs to change now. But we also need to celebrate how far we've come with strong programs like Medicare and Medicaid. Before 1965, more than half of American seniors were uninsured. Today, one out of every three Americans relies on these programs to afford a doctor's appointment, receive important medicines, and have comprehensive healthcare.

"John Dingell was by President Johnson's side when he signed these lifesaving programs into law 56 years ago today. I know John is heartened by the fact that these programs are still going strong, but he's also telling us there's way more work to do. This starts by delivering Medicare for All so that healthcare is a right not a privilege because no one should have to worry about whether or not they can afford a doctor."