Keep our Medicare promise

By Rep. Dave Loebsack

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Today marks the 45th anniversary of the implementation of Medicare. In 1964, 30 percent of seniors lived below the poverty line and only 51 percent of seniors had health coverage.

But in 1965, our nation created a program that transformed seniors' health care, and by July 1966, seniors in Iowa and across the country first learned what the promise of Medicare - increased health benefits and economic security - would mean to them and their family. Today, 47 million Americans participate in Medicare and virtually everyone over the age of 65 has reliable, affordable coverage.

I grew up in a family that struggled to make ends meet, and I strongly believe no Iowan should ever retire into poverty or have to make the choice between putting food on the table and paying for medication. Since coming to Congress, I have fought to strengthen and improve Medicare, and as we celebrate the anniversary of its implementation, I am proud of the security Medicare has provided to Americans.

Most recently, my colleagues and I passed the Affordable Care Act that extended the solvency of Medicare and made critical improvements for seniors. This landmark legislation will improve primary care and coordinate care for seniors, lower prescription drug costs by gradually eliminating the prescription drug doughnut hole and eliminate out-of-pocket expenses for preventive care services like cancer screenings and mammograms. All while reducing our nation's deficit.

For 45 years, Medicare has succeeded in providing health care security for our seniors. Unfortunately, Republicans in Congress are trying to undo this success by ending Medicare and creating a voucher program for seniors to buy private insurance.

Their plan would increase out-of-pocket health care costs for the typical senior by $6,000 a year, and no longer guarantees seniors the same level of benefits or the choice of doctor they have today under Medicare. I am strongly opposed to this proposal.

Turning Medicare into a voucher program would put seniors' health care in the hands of insurance companies and jeopardize a long-held promise to our seniors.

Today, we must remember this promise. For 45 years Medicare has provided a safe, steady and consistent source of security for our nation's retirees. I will always fight to protect Medicare to ensure that no Iowan retirees into uncertainty, and that the promise of health and economic security in retirement will be there for generations of Iowans to come.

Rep. Dave Loebsack, D-Mount Vernon, is Iowa's 2nd District congressman. Comments: http://

loebsack.house.gov/

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