On July 30, 1965 - 44 years ago today - President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the Social Security Act, which included Medicare, a measure designed to provide quality, affordable health care for our nation's elderly citizens. At the time of the signing, Johnson stated:
And no longer will this Nation refuse the hand of justice to those who have given a lifetime of service and wisdom and labor to the progress of this progressive country.
More than forty years later, Medicare has improved the health and well-being of our nation's seniors and created one of the country's most popular government programs - serving over 40 million Americans.
But more than forty years later our nation is also witnessing the same fear-mongering tactics used by those opposed to providing greater health care access for all, from threats of "socialized medicine" to crazy claims of euthanizing the elderly. The fact is, over forty million Americans are uninsured and millions more are underinsured. It is time for Congress to rein in the insurance industry and lobbyists that are more interested in corporate profits than the well-being of working families and pass comprehensive health care reform.
President Johnson predicted that within three decades, Medicare would become a permanent part of our nation's heritage. Not only was his prediction right, but his legacy was built. Now's our time to ensure that the 111th Congress is remembered for strengthening one of the cornerstones of the American Dream and promoting a healthier, stronger nation.