August 09, 2021

Alliance Members Continue to Commemorate Medicare, Social Security Anniversaries

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (NY) both participated in a Celebration of Progress, recognizing the anniversaries of the enactment of Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and the Americans with Disabilities Act last Friday, July 30, on Medicare and Medicaid’s actual 56th anniversary. The program was presented by NYSARA and Citizens Action, the Health Foundation of Western and Central New York, Medicaid Matters New York, Metro New York Health Care for All, the New York Association for Independent Living and the NY Statewide Senior Action Council.

NYSARA President Barry Kaufmann presented a segment on the importance of keeping the Social Security system strong by fighting against the newest attack on Social Security and Medicare, the Trust Act. Social Security’s official 86th birthday will take place on August 14.

The Florida Alliance (FLARA) continued hosting Medicare and Medicaid anniversary events on Monday, with Southern Florida Representatives Ted Deutch, Lois Frankel and Debbie Wasserman Schultz joining members virtually. All three members of Congress received the Retiree Hero Award for their 100% pro-retiree scores in the Alliance’s 2020 Congressional Voting Record.

Later on Monday at a second anniversary event, FLARA honored central Florida Reps. Val Demings and Darren Soto with the Alliance for Retired Americans’ Retiree Hero Award for their perfect 100% pro-retiree scores in the Alliance’s 2020 Voting Record.

In Texas, Rep. Colin Allred sent videotaped remarks for a Texas Alliance virtual Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid event on Wednesday. District Director Renee Edwards spoke on behalf of Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson and District Director Anne Hagan represented Congressman Marc Veasey.

“Thank you to everyone who helped deliver the message that we must expand Social Security, not cut it, and allow Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices so we can strengthen and expand it. We can use the drug savings to provide all beneficiaries with guaranteed dental, hearing and vision care under Medicare,” said Joseph Peters, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance.