Linda Sánchez Celebrates 46th Anniversary of Medicare (July 29 2011)

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez today released the following statement highlighting the importance of Medicare on the 46th anniversary of the groundbreaking legislation being signed into law.

"It is impossible to over-state the importance of Medicare, because it has been the difference between life and death for millions of Americans," said Congresswoman Sánchez. "Before Medicare existed, life was not easy for people over 65. About half had health care coverage. A third of seniors lived below the poverty line. Seniors and people with disabilities now have health care security thanks to Medicare."

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon Johns on signed Medicare into law, which provides our seniors with secure health care and economic benefits.

Today, this champion legislation is under attack. This past April, House Republicans passed legislation that would end Medicare and replace it with a voucher system which would require seniors to buy private insurance on their own.

"Medicare is one of the most effective programs our government has ever created," added Congresswoman Sánchez. "We can't break our promise to our seniors. I am firmly committed to fighting to protect seniors' benefits and saving Medicare from Republican efforts to dismantle this vital program."