PRINTER'S NO. 1254
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
188
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY KITCHEN, COSTA, SABATINA, BREWSTER, TEPLITZ,
BLAKE, DINNIMAN, FONTANA, YUDICHAK, TARTAGLIONE, SCHWANK,
BOSCOLA, AUMENT, HAYWOOD, FARNESE AND HUGHES,
SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, SEPTEMBER 18, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Social
Security Amendments of 1965 creating the Medicare and
Medicaid programs.
WHEREAS, The Social Security Amendments of 1965 created two
of the most prominent programs in our country's history,
Medicare and Medicaid; and
WHEREAS, The bill proposing the Social Security Amendments of
1965 was introduced to the Congress of the United States in
March 1965, and on July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson
signed the bill enacting the Medicare and Medicaid programs into
law; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of these two programs is to provide
health care for elderly citizens over 65 years of age and for
citizens living in poverty; and
WHEREAS, At the time Medicare services began on July 1, 1966,
more than 19 million Americans over 65 years of age enrolled in
the program; and
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WHEREAS, Over the years changes have been made to both
Medicare and Medicaid to include a broader base of individuals;
and
WHEREAS, Medicare has expanded to include prescription drug
coverage, as well as a whole range of important health care
services; and
WHEREAS, Medicaid has expanded to include low-income
families, pregnant women, people of all ages with disabilities
and people who need long-term care; and
WHEREAS, Currently there are approximately 50 million
individuals enrolled in Medicare and 7 million individuals
enrolled in Medicaid in the United States; and
WHEREAS, More than two million individuals benefit from these
programs in this Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, The creation of Medicare and Medicaid has had an
overwhelmingly positive effect on the well-being and care of our
fellow citizens; and
WHEREAS, The programs will continue to thrive in an age where
more and more people are beginning to experience the advantages
of obtaining health insurance; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the 50th anniversary of
the signing of the Social Security Amendments of 1965; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
the Department of Human Services which is responsible for
delivering services relative to these programs on behalf of the
residents of this Commonwealth.
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