They had gathered to celebrate the 46th anniversary of the Medicare bill, which President Johnson signed into law on July 30, 1965
Medicare recipients applaud during a rally and news conference to mark the 46th anniversary of the passage of Medicare in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) used the event to highlight what she called the House Republican's push to end Medicare as part of the ongoing federal budget and debt ceiling crisis.NEWARK — As Congress continued debt ceiling debates — the results of which could chop entitlement programs like Medicare — a group of New Jersey seniors and health care advocates gathered to celebrate the program’s 46th anniversary.
"We have an economy in crisis, but that crisis was created by Wall Street and greedy corporations," said Ray Stever, president of the New Jersey One Plan, which co-sponsored the birthday party and rally. "Seniors should not have to sacrifice their coverage to save the debt. Our message is simple: hands off Medicare and Social Security."
About 50 people, mostly senior citizens, gathered at the New Community Center on Orange Street in Newark to rally against cuts to the program and to push for a universal, single-payer system. Balloons and a large cake were set up near the speaker’s podium in celebration of the Medicare bill, which President Johnson signed into law on July 30, 1965.
Rep. Donald Payne (D-Newark) was scheduled to attend the rally, but remained on Capitol Hill in debt negotiations.
Lynn Petrovich, a member of New Jersey One and a certified public accountant, works with seniors in Monmouth County.
"I’ve prepared thousands of returns for senior citizens and watched as they spend tens of thousands a year, and it’s only going up," Petrovich said. "This program is a means of survival for our seniors."
Thelma Yansy, 68, addressed the crowd, saying she’s not above begging.
"I’m pleading with you," Yansy said. "Please leave Medicare and Medicaid alone, just leave it alone. We paved the way for our children and our children’s children, and now we’re just trying to live out the best of our golden years."
Chuck Gibson, 73, is a retired general contractor who has seen his co-pays and cost of medications rise consistently over the past few years. The 12 medications he takes for diabetes, arthritis and a weak heart have gone up by about $5 per medication in the past year.
"I know there’s a lot of panicking going on in government right now," Gibson said. "But they’re gonna work it out, one way or another, and some things are gonna be cut. What gets cut is the question."