As Medicare Turns 50, It's Time to Strengthen and Defend It

WASHINGTON—Statement from American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten on the 50th anniversary of Medicare on July 30. The AFT is the second-largest nurses' union in the country and represents 120,000 healthcare workers.

"Medicare is one of our country's great successes. It's about fulfilling our social compact with our elders—those who helped us become the country we are. When it comes to healthcare, Americans are secure in their golden years, through this government-funded public program.

"When President Lyndon Johnson signed the Medicare program into law in 1965, only half of seniors had health insurance; today, virtually all do. Thanks to Medicare, the poverty rate among seniors fell from 28 percent in the late 1960s to 9 percent today. Seniors no longer have to worry about medical bills draining their life savings, and families know their older loved ones will get the care they need.

"Americans want to expand—not cut—Medicare, and 80 percent of older Americans believe it works well. 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.

"Still, there's more to be done: Medicare should be allowed to negotiate drug prices. The crisis in rural healthcare must be addressed. And ideological attacks on the program from out-of-touch politicians must be fought tooth and nail. Reckless campaign rhetoric like former Gov. Jeb Bush's recent call to 'phase out' Medicare can't be left unanswered.

"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."