DNC Chair Jaime Harrison and DNC Chair of the Seniors Council, Steve Regenstreif, released the following statement marking the 57th anniversary of the signing of legislation that established Medicare and Medicaid:

Fifty-seven years ago, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation that established Medicare and Medicaid. As a result, millions of seniors and low-income Americans finally got the health care they needed. Since then, these programs have provided millions of Americans dignity and peace of mind — knowing affordable, quality health care is within reach.

The Democratic Party is proud of our work to build on the legacy of Medicaid and Medicare. From the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which guarantees health care for children from low-income families, to the Affordable Care Act, which expanded access to health care and ensured people with preexisting conditions could not be denied care, we have fought to make health care more accessible and affordable. President Biden and Democrats in Congress continue those efforts — working to lower health care premiums and bring down prescription drug costs. 

That record stands in stark contrast to the Republican Party, which has time and again sought to repeal the Affordable Care Act and now has a plan to cut Medicare and Social Security. But no matter how far the GOP strays, Democrats will always protect Medicaid and Medicare and work to ensure that every American can access affordable health care.