Statement from HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on the 47th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare News Thursday, August 2nd, 2012Hhs.gov: July 30, 2012
Today, we mark the 47th anniversary of the signing of Medicare and Medicaid into law, a promise we made to older Americans and the most vulnerable of our citizens that they will have the medical care they need to live healthier lives.
For our elderly, the pledge reflects the acknowledgement that after contributing a lifetime to our nation’s well-being, our seniors deserve to be able to live out their years with the security and peace of mind that comes with having affordable health insurance under Medicare. For low income children, parents and people with disabilities, Medicaid created a federal-state partnership to provide a secure health care safety net to promote stronger families and communities across our country.
The health care reforms in the Affordable Care Act strengthen that promise. Because of the Affordable Care Act, 32.5 million seniors and people with disabilities last year were able to take advantage of at least one preventive service, such as a mammogram or cardiovascular disease screening, at no cost. Read More
