Honoring Medicare's 50th Anniversary

Thursday, July 30th, marked the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid.  Fifty years ago, 30 percent of seniors lived below the poverty line and only 51 percent of seniors had health coverage. On July 30, 1965 President Lyndon Johnson signed into law legislation that has protected the health and well-being of millions of Americans, ensuring that our nation's seniors can enjoy their later years with the security of reliable medical insurance. He also signed Medicaid into law to provide a basic health care safety net for our country's most vulnerable populations.

I grew up in a family that struggled to make ends meet and I strongly believe that no Iowans should ever retire into poverty or have to make the choice between putting food on the table and paying for their medication. Since coming to Congress, I have fought to strengthen and improve Medicare and Medicaid, and today as we celebrate the anniversary of their implementation, I am proud of the security these landmark initiatives have provided to millions of Americans.

Moving forward, I will oppose any proposal that threatens to dismantle Medicare and Medicaid as we know them.  Please be assured that I will always fight to protect these vital initiatives to ensure that no Iowan retirees into uncertainty, and that the promise of health and economic security in retirement will be there for generations of Iowans to come.

Sincerely, 

Dave Loebsack
Iowa's Second District