CMS NEWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10,
2015
Contact: CMS Media Relations
(202) 690-6145 | CMS
Media Inquiries
Medicare
and Medicaid 50th Anniversary Count Down
Washington, D.C. – This summer will
mark the 50th anniversary of the enactment of Amendments to the Social Security
Act that established the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Over the next 50 days, the Centers
for Medicare & Medicaid Services will recognize the impact these two
programs have had in transforming our nation’s health care system. By sharing
daily facts and posts on Twitter (@cmsgov)
and Medicaid.gov,
CMS will highlight people, places, and progress that represent the Medicare and
Medicaid programs as we know today.
“The 50th anniversary of Medicare
and Medicaid provides an important opportunity for us to reflect on the
critical role these programs have played in protecting the health and
well-being of millions of families,” said Andy Slavitt, acting administrator of
the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. “Today, Medicare and Medicaid
are creating a health care system that is better, smarter, and healthier –
setting standards for how care is delivered. As we take a moment to reflect on
the past five decades, we must also look to the future and explore ways to
strengthen and improve health care for future generations.”
On July 30, 1965, President Johnson signed
legislation to establish Medicare for the elderly and Medicaid for low-income
adults, children, pregnant women, and people with disabilities. Though
Medicare and Medicaid started as basic health coverage programs for Americans,
the programs have evolved over the years to provide more Americans with
improved access to quality and affordable health care coverage. These programs have transformed the delivery of health care
in the United States.
To commemorate this golden
anniversary, CMS will engage in conversations with beneficiaries, providers,
and health experts. We invite the public to
participate in this celebration by sharing stories of how Medicare and Medicaid
have made a difference. Stories can be shared at Medicare.gov/anniversary/share-your-story. In late July, regional CMS offices will host
public events in addition to a national event in Washington, D.C.
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