Political Quotes

“For decades, Medicare has been a lifeline for older Americans, providing quality and affordable health coverage to all seniors in this country. The creation of the Medicare program in 1965 addressed the fundamental challenge of ensuring aging seniors access to essential health care. Before Medicare, almost half of all seniors over 65 had no insurance at all. Seniors were just not a good risk for private insurers, and they still aren't. Medicare is a promise to American seniors that we would not abandon them even as they age, even as they need medical care--until now. The Republican budget will end Medicare as we know it, offering a limited voucher and expecting seniors to find insurance no matter how sick they are or how expensive it is. Every day, 48 million elderly and disabled Americans count on Medicare for their lifesaving medications, doctor visits, and hospital care. Seniors know that changing Medicare to a voucher program means they will no longer have access to a guaranteed set of health benefits. Seniors know that privatizing Medicare means limits on benefits; obstacles to care; and uncertain reimbursements, copayments for primary care and specialty care; exclusions for certain services; discrimination based on income, illness or age; and uncertainty if serious illness or need for long-term care occurs. Seniors know that privatizing and voucherizing Medicare will mean that they pay more in premiums or do without. And it doesn't end there.…”