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Dr. Ruiz Statement on 48th Anniversary of Medicare

July 30, 2013

WASHINGTON, DC – Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-Palm Desert) released the following statement today honoring the 48th Anniversary of Medicare. President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965.

“For 48 years, Medicare has ensured our seniors have the health care security they have earned for a lifetime of hard work. So many seniors in the 36th District depend on Medicare for quality and affordable health care in their golden years. In these challenging economic times with steeply rising health care costs, our seniors need the security that Medicare provides now more than ever.

“Congress should be working in a bipartisan way to strengthen Medicare. Yet extreme partisans in the House have once again tried to turn Medicare into a private voucher system with the Ryan Budget, which would end the Medicare guarantee for seniors. I voted against the Ryan Budget and will always oppose any attempt to undermine or weaken Medicare. As we mark this anniversary today, I urge my colleagues to come together across party lines to put our seniors first.”

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