David Loebsack: “Today I rise to recognize the 48th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. I grew up in poverty, and my grandmother often…”

“Today I rise to recognize the 48th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. I grew up in poverty, and my grandmother often relied on Social Security survivor benefits to put food on the table. I know firsthand how important initiatives like Medicare and Medicaid are to seniors and families in America. No senior should have to make the choice between putting food on the table and paying for their medication. Our country's retirees have paid into Medicare their entire lives. That is why it is so critical that those who have worked hard get their earned benefits. Medicaid is critical to low-income families and individuals with disabilities that depend on the program for their basic health care needs, many of whom are struggling just to get by. I look forward to continuing to work to strengthen and protect Medicare and Medicaid to ensure that the promise of health and economic security will be there for generations to come. ____________________”