RI Delegation Joins Seniors on Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, Discuss their Fight to Lower Health Care Costs

Coventry, R.I. - Today, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Jack Reed (D-RI), along with U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner (RI-02), joined seniors and Neighborhood Health CEO Peter Marino at the Coventry Resource and Senior Center to mark the 61st anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid, provide an update on health care policy in Washington, and reaffirm their commitment to lowering health care costs for Rhode Islanders.

The event comes as Rhode Islanders continue to face rising health care costs following deep cuts enacted by President Trump and Congressional Republicans, including a nearly $1 trillion cut to Medicaid and the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that helped make coverage more affordable.

View or download photos from the event here.

"For 61 years, Medicare and Medicaid have helped Rhode Islanders access affordable, lifesaving health care," said Whitehouse. "Republican chaos and corruption are driving up Americans' costs, and the party's bizarre obsession with ripping away health care has destabilized our already-fragile health care system. It's a disgrace, and I remain committed to protecting Medicare and Medicaid from Republican mischief."

"Medicare and Medicaid are cost-effective and critical to the health and well-being of thousands of Rhode Islanders and millions of Americans. These programs have helped lift millions of Americans out of poverty, improved their health, and advanced health care innovations that benefit everyone. The historic success of Medicare is self-evident: Before Medicare was enacted, roughly half of all seniors had health insurance. Today, 99 percent of American seniors - adults aged 65 and older - have health insurance," said Reed. "Working together, we can keep the promise of Medicare and Medicaid and ensure these programs are there for older Americans today, tomorrow, and for another sixty-one years. Supporting Medicare and Medicaid provides quality health care to more Americans, slows rising health care costs, and helps reduce federal budget deficit."

"Medicare and Medicaid have helped provide health care to Rhode Islanders for 61 years,"said Magaziner. "But health care has become increasingly unaffordable and inaccessible because of direct attacks by the President and Congressional Republicans. We must do better. I, along with the entire delegation, will continue fighting for a health care system that is affordable for all Americans."

"Medicare and Medicaid make a tremendous difference, especially because both programs help people manage chronic conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, and continue living full lives," said Peter Marino, President and CEO of Neighborhood Health Plan. "These programs make it more likely that someone will see a doctor when something feels wrong instead of waiting until a health issue becomes an emergency. For people without coverage, the choice too often becomes whether to seek care or pay for other basic needs. No one should have to make that choice. That's why we need to continue investing in these vital programs - it is how we make sure we are taking care of each other."

The event commemorated the signing of Medicare and Medicaid into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson 61 years ago while highlighting the challenges Rhode Islanders face today as health care becomes increasingly expensive and inaccessible.

During the event, the Delegation members outlined how recent federal health care cuts are affecting Rhode Islanders and the broader health care system. They also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting Medicare and Medicaid, reversing harmful cuts, and lowering health care costs for working people across the state.

For 61 years, Medicare and Medicaid have helped millions of Americans access quality, affordable health care. Today, more than 309,000 Rhode Islanders rely on Medicaid, including 64 percent of nursing home residents, more than half of adults with disabilities, 37 percent of children, and 43 percent of births in the state. An estimated 34,000 Rhode Islanders are expected to lose health insurance once Medicaid cuts passed by Republicans are in full effect. Another 244,570 Rhode Islanders, nearly one in five residents, depend on Medicare for their health coverage and have seen their health insurance rates skyrocket. Members of the Rhode Island delegation outline how recent Republican cuts to Medicaid and the expiration of enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits threaten to increase health care costs and put additional strain on the state's health care system. They reiterated their commitment to protecting Medicare, restoring affordable health coverage, and ensuring every Rhode Islander can access the care they need.