WASHINGTON, DC-- Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) made this statement in recognition of the 45th anniversary of the launch of Medicare:

"Today, we recognize Medicare, a program that has been vital in the lives of many Americans, and there couldn't be a more significant time to recognize its importance.  Over the past six months, Republicans in Congress have voted twice to slash funding from the program, putting the lives of seniors, and especially future generations, at risk of being responsible for significantly more of their health care costs, while they continue to support tax cuts for millionaires," said Congresswoman Fudge.

"Medicare is needed now more than ever.  In 1965, only 51 percent of seniors had health care coverage.  Thanks to Medicare, virtually all seniors have health care coverage today.  Moreover, the coverage corresponds to a sharp decrease in the number of seniors living below the poverty line.  In 1965, nearly 30% of seniors lived below the poverty line.  Today, that number is less than 8%," said Congresswoman Fudge. 

"I will continue to listen to my constituents and fight to preserve Medicare. There are responsible ways to deal with the deficit, but slashing funds from Medicare is simply not one of them."

11th District Survey: When asked whether Medicare should be changed to a voucher system, constituents who responded to a survey in a recent newsletter (and to this survey) overwhelmingly said no. 81% were not in favor, while 12% responded in favor of the change. 

Background:

Today, 39 million seniors and 8 million people under age 65 with disabilities are covered by Medicare. Changes under the Republican budget would include:

• An increase of more than $6,000 for an individual's health care costs each year;
• An estimated additional cost of  $182,000 for everyone over the age of 54 to cover their health care costs;
• Making seniors responsible for 68% of their health care costs by 2030;
• Reopening the prescription drug donut hole, which would cost four million seniors $44 billion by 2020, including $2.2 billion in 2012 alone.

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