Rep. Jackson Lee Commemorates 52nd Anniversary of Medicaid & Medicare

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 -- Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, issued the following speech, which was published in the Congressional Record on Aug. 4, commemorating the 52nd Anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare:

Mr. Speaker, I rise to join my colleagues in recognizing and commemorating the 52nd Anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare.

As Medicare and Medicaid turn 52 this week, I stand with the nation to declare my unequivocal commitment to two of the most impactful government programs ever launched.

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law as part of the Social Security Act.

This landmark legislation that truly represents Americans at our best became a reality due to the tireless efforts of great leaders like Teddy Roosevelt, Harry Truman, and Lyndon B. Johnson.

The signing of the law that established Medicare forged a promise with American seniors.

A promise that assured those who have contributed a lifetime to our nation could enjoy their golden years with peace of mind and the security of reliable, affordable, and high quality healthcare.

Likewise, Medicaid created a crucial partnership between the Government and the Governed to provide a basic health care safety net for some of the most vulnerable Americans: children of adults with low incomes, persons with disabilities and the poor.

Mr. Speaker, 52 years later, the legacy of these programs has proven how powerful government action can be to the life and well-being of our nation's most vulnerable.

In 1965, almost half of those 65 and older had no health coverage, living in fear that the colossal healthcare costs would drive them and their families into poverty.

Today, because of that monumental legislation, over 98 percent of seniors have health insurance, which has led to a five-year increase in life expectancy for those over 65.

Today, 55 million Americans rely on Medicare for health care, ranging from preventive services, hospital visits, lab tests, to critical medical supplies, and prescription drugs.

It is difficult for some to image what 1965 was really like, when today affordable, accessible and available health insurance is a reality for so many people living with disabilities.

Before Medicaid poor families with children, pregnant women, and low- income working Americans were not able to afford even the most basic medical care they needed to remain healthy and productive.

When the legislation was first passed, many claimed that Medicaid would never prosper, yet today because of expansion of Medicaid through passage of the Affordable Care Act the program provides comprehensive coverage for over 73 million children, pregnant women, low-income adults, and people living with disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, it is indisputable that both programs, Medicare and Medicaid, have been monumental victories and the proudest accomplishments of the Democratic Party and our great Nation.

In my home state of Texas and in communities across the country, both programs have significantly changed the lives and improved health outcomes of many Americans over the past century and represent the best American values where we believe Health is a Human right not a commodity.

This is bittersweet for the residents of the state of Texas anniversary because celebrate these programs that have saved lives, helped people live longer, expanded care to marginalized communities, closed healthcare access gaps, and provided the peace of mind that comes with affordable and equitable health care.

Unfortunately, Texas has the highest percentage of uninsured (17.7) in the nation.

The State of Texas' refusal to participate in the Medicaid expansion created by the Affordable Care act puts the poor residents my state in jeopardy.

In the 18th Congressional District there are 195,400 persons with Medicaid and 74,704 with medical care provided by Medicare.

Mr. Speaker, my constituents in the 18th Congressional District of Texas favor the Affordable Care Act because they understand the insecurity and feeling of helplessness of being uninsured or underinsured.

Like those great achievements, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or ObamaCare, was vehemently opposed and derided by its adversaries, who said it was too costly, would not work, was unnecessary, or would change the character of America for the worse.

Like the critics of Social Security, Medicare, and the G.I. Bill, all of whom are silent now, they are wrong.

The Affordable Care Act has been an unqualified success.

This historic legislation has extended affordable health coverage to tens of millions of Americans, and has helped to bring and peace of mind to many of those for whom relief seemed far out of reach.

The Affordable Care Act was driven by a simple premise: that citizens of the most prosperous nation on earth should not be forced to choose between their health and their financial security.

Since the passage of the ACA in 2010, the number of uninsured Americans has fallen by more than one-third, or roughly 20 million people.

These Americans come from all walks of life.

They are women, who can no longer be denied coverage or be force to pay exorbitant amounts for coverage simply because of their sex.

They are nine million seniors and people with disabilities, who have saved $1,600 each on expensive and lifesaving prescription medication.

And they are this country's most at risk citizens; people who are working hard and struggling make ends meet while living in near- poverty, and who have been covered by Medicaid expansion in 31 states and the District of Columbia.

These benefits have been felt across the country, especially in home state of Texas.

In Texas alone:

1. 10,695,000 individuals with pre-existing conditions such as asthma, cancer, or diabetes--including up to 1,632,000 children--will no longer have to worry about being denied coverage or charged higher prices because of their health status or history.

2. 4,889,000 uninsured Texans have new health insurance options through Medicaid or private health plans in the ACA Marketplace.

3. 5,198,000 individuals on private insurance who have gained coverage for at least one free preventive health care service such as a mammogram, birth control, or an immunization.

In the first ten months of 2013, 233,100 seniors and people with disabilities saved on average $866 on prescription medications.

In addition to the tangible healthcare benefits for millions of families, the Affordable Care Act has had powerful effects on the financial state of our nation.

Since the passage of the Affordable Care Act, we have extended the solvency of the Medicare Trust fund by more than a decade, and helped save taxpayers $116 billion through new Medicare efficiencies.

The Department of Health and Human Services has estimated that hospitals saved more than $5.7 billion in costs that would have normally gone unpaid by patients without insurance.

Contrary to the claims of the law's critics, private insurance companies have leapt at the opportunity to compete for business among the newly insured, and the healthcare industry has boomed.

Through all of these successes, however, House Republicans remain obsessed with destroying this law, and with unraveling the security it provides to millions of Americans.

Medicaid serves a notable share of children, nursing home residents, and Americans younger than 65 years, while a significant share of Medicare beneficiaries have incomes less than $23,500, have 5 or more chronic conditions, or report a health status that is fair or poor.

Medicare and Medicaid also continue to drive innovation and these programs have become the standards for coverage, quality, and innovation in American healthcare.

Mr. Speaker, together these programs serve the nation's most vulnerable people--low-income children and adults, people with disabilities, and older persons.

Both programs continue to play crucial roles in providing equitable and affordable healthcare, leading innovation in payment and delivery reform, carrying out outreach to the most vulnerable communities, and reshaping the delivery of care for the future.

It is for these reasons, Medicare and Medicaid remain central to the nation's public health insurance system and vital to the health of Americans and prosperity of our nation.

Because of these programs, more Americans have access to affordable, equitable health care today than at any point in our history.

And I am committed to making sure that number will continue to grow.

On this anniversary of these vital programs, we should remember that a healthy America is a prosperous America.

As we look ahead to the next half century, we can celebrate that what was put in place in 1965 has given us the foundation for a healthy and prosperous future for all Americans.

And I invite those detractors who confidently predicted that Medicare and Medicaid then, and the Affordable Care Act now, would lead to the ruination of the country to join me in saying:

Thank you LBJ. Thank you Obama.