Texas Democrats' Statement on the 56th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid

AUSTIN, Texas, July 31 -- The Texas Democratic Party issued the following news on July 30, 2021:

Today marks the 56th anniversary of the lifeline for nearly 140 million Americans. Medicare and Medicaid have provided insurance health coverage for our seniors, people with disabilities, children, and families that otherwise would not be able to meet their medical needs.

On this day, it is important to not only celebrate this historic program, but to also recognize the growing need for Medicare and Medicaid expansion within our communities. Ensuring access to health coverage is a right and no one should be left out, left behind, or left on the sidelines. Democrats continue to lead the charge to get every American the health care access they need -- including through President Obama's historic Affordable Care Act (ACA), which has changed the lives of millions of people across the country. Earlier this year, President Biden took the next step, signing into law the largest expansion of health care since the ACA.

Medicaid expansion is not only common decency, but also common sense. Texas leads the nation in the number of uninsured residents. Democrats have fought for years to get Texas to expand Medicaid eligibility and help the most vulnerable Texans get access to health care. By unlocking billions of federal dollars to help with health care costs, the change would be a boon for the state's economy -- helping to keep premiums down for everyone, keep rural hospitals open, address racial injustice in the health care system, and keep families across the state healthy.

Republicans' longtime refusal to extend health care to Texans who need it is pure political posturing. Because Texas Republicans consistently put politics above our health, lives, and livelihoods, the state has said no to at least $9 billion in federal funds to help insure more Texans.

Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

"For 56 years, Medicare and Medicaid have made health insurance a possibility for those when they've needed it the most. There is still much work to be done and Texas Democrats are at the forefront of this fight for Medicare and Medicaid expansion. The denial by Texas Republicans of this basic right for health care to nearly a million Texas residents earlier this year is a callous and heartless example of their lack of empathy for humanity.

"Democrats will keep fighting to make sure all Texas families have access to health care, because that's what it means to put Texans first."