Celebrating the anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid 59 years later

CHARLESTON, WV (WOWK) — 59 years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a bill enacting and establishing the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

The bill’s enactment marked the culmination of a 20-year congressional battle over the issue, which originally covered the cost of medical attention for people 65 and older.

Since then, Medicare and Medicaid have evolved to provide more access to Americans when it comes to quality and affordable health care for many families. The West Virginia Citizen Action group hosted a celebration of the anniversary on Tuesday.

“It’s terrible to be sick and have several different things the matter with you. So, these are about real people. And, I hope that when we talk about saving Medicare and Medicaid that we remember, we are we are saving real people’s lives,” said Barbara Fleischauer, a member of the WV Citizen Action Group.

The WV Citizen Action Group is a member of the People’s Action Institute’s Care Over Cost campaign, which aims to appeal and overturn insurance claim denials from private health insurers.

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