Celebrating 50 years of Medicare with a call to expand it

It's been 50 years since Medicare was signed into law, and on July 30, activists and supporters gathered in dozens of cities nationwide to celebrate and call on lawmakers to protect, improve and expand the vital program. The celebration in Washington, D.C., drew hundreds of activists from unions and other organizations, including the AFT, the Alliance for Retired Americans, the United Auto Workers, National Nurses United and Healthcare-NOW!

Many of the speakers said the best way to preserve and celebrate Medicare was to expand it to all Americans. Among them was Robert Zarr, president of Physicians for a National Health Program, who warned the crowd to be wary of politicians seeking changes to Medicare that would make it harder for seniors and people with disabilities to see a doctor or fill a prescription. "We are here to protect Medicare from those who would privatize it or have it dismantled entirely."

"The visionary architects of Medicare saw it as a first step to universal healthcare," said Nancy Altman, co-founder of Social Security Works. "Medicare is far more efficient than private insurance; it is time for Medicare for all."

"Medicare provides seniors a secure retirement without fear of medical expenses that might wipe out their retirement," said Alliance for Retired Americans member Jim Baldridge. "We are the inheritors of Medicare, and it is our responsibility to preserve it."

In a statement marking the anniversary, AFT President Randi Weingarten noted that "Medicare is one of our country's great successes." She pointed out that most Americans want to expand—not cut—Medicare, because it works.

"In recent years, Medicare has been strengthened thanks to the Affordable Care Act, which added years of solvency to the program and helped drive down costs for seniors," said Weingarten. "We will continue to work with senior and consumer groups to defend and extend Medicare. Together, we can reclaim the promise of quality healthcare for all."

[Adrienne Coles]