Public Comment

Medicaid is the nation's largest health insurer. About 70 million low income Americans are its beneficiaries compared to about 50 million who are covered by Medicare. In California, Medi-Cal, which is what the State calls its Medicaid program, has over 12 million members, which is more than twice the number of California residents who are enrolled in Medicare. Medi-Cal recipients include, incidentally, many small business owners and those who are self-employed. 

Very important, Medicaid offers programs that provide a range of services which are unavailable to Medicare beneficiaries. Medicaid is the main source of coverage and financing for nursing homes, and also community-based services so that the elderly and disabled can stay at home. There are now 1.5 million institutional residents and 2.9 million who are community based residents. 

July 30 is the 50 year birthday of both Medicare and Medicaid. President Johnson put his signature on both programs in 1965. So it is very disappointing that across the nation only Medicare is being celebrated. It is especially surprising since Medicaid is a much larger program, is available to low income Americans of any age, and provides a very wide range of services. Moreover, Medicaid is currently providing assistance to 21% of Medicare beneficiaries. 

Nevertheless, although I regret that Medicaid was not also given top billing, it is immensely important that we celebrate Medicare. I will be attending a major birthday celebration of Medicare in Oakland at Frank Ogawa Plaza on Thursday, July 30, noon. I hope you will be attending also. 

The political demands of the celebration -- Medicare for All -must be supported. So the more who attend this event, the better!