President Lyndon B. Johnson signs Medicare into law

Washington, DC- (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)– Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson released the following statement:

“Forty seven years ago, Medicare and Medicaid were enacted into law to provide the elderly, the disabled, and less fortunate affordable healthcare insurance and access to medical services. Almost half a century ago, law makers made a promise to change the way vulnerable Americans received medical services by creating these programs, which have helped to extend the lives of an untold number of Americans.  Medicare currently provides comprehensive health care coverage to over 3 million Texans, nearly 2.6 million of these individuals are seniors.

Today, nearly 100 million Americans can sleep soundly at night knowing the security that Medicare and Medicaid provides them, their families, and future generations.

Unfortunately, Republicans are working hard to implement laws that will make astronomical cuts to these programs that sustain millions of Americans. I will continue to work with my Democratic colleagues to stand firm against Republican efforts and to continue strengthening Medicare and Medicaid for all Americans.”