WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ahead of tomorrow’s 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) issued the following statement:

 

“All Americans deserve access to affordable health care. For 50 years, these landmark insurance programs have helped keep seniors out of poverty, given low-income families the peace of mind that they could access care when sick, and provided individuals with disabilities the opportunity to live more independently and with dignity.

 

“Medicare and Medicaid ushered in not only a new era in health insurance, but also a new era in civil rights. The beginning of these programs helped desegregate southern hospitals and shrink health disparities between black and white Americans.

 

“Looking ahead, we must look for ways to improve these programs and to eliminate disparities and barriers to care that persist. By strengthening these programs, we can ensure that more Americans can benefit from their life-changing services.”

 

Brown has been a strong supporter of efforts to preserve and improve Medicare. In July 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law legislation to establish Medicare and Medicaid. Since then, Medicare and Medicaid have provided millions of American seniors, individuals with disabilities, children, and hardworking families with quality and affordable health care coverage.

 

###