Join Call to Protect, Improve and Expand Medicare to All
Part of National Day of Action July 30th

Registered nurses and other community leaders from throughout California are marking the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid Thursday July 30 with festive events and actions in Los Angeles and Oakland.
 
The celebration is part of a national day of action, in over 25 U.S. cities, that calls on policy makers to protect, improve, and expand Medicare to cover all Americans with a single standard of quality care not based on ability to pay. The overall theme is  "Medicare is as American as Apple Pie," i.e. to Protect, Improve and Expand (PIE) Medicare to cover everyone.
 
Los Angeles

What: Full program of speakers, music and theater
When: Thursday, July 30th, 4:00 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Los Angeles Trade Technical College, 400 West Washington Blvd.
 
Oakland

What: Rally and March - speakers, interactive exhibits, music, games
When: Thursday, July 30th, 11:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.
Where: Frank Ogawa Plaza

 "RNs are celebrating the birthday of Medicare because it has a terrific track record of providing quality patient care to millions of elderly and disabled Americans," said NNU Secretary-Treasurer Martha Kuhl, RN. "There are still far too many people who are uninsured and under insured, or priced out of access to needed care due to cost. Medicare for all is the answer. As nurses, we are committed to expanding and updating Medicare to cover everyone."

"As we celebrate the 50th birthday of Medicare, our nation's most successful healthcare program, we mourn the millions of Americans who continue to fall victim to an immoral and unjust private healthcare system," said Dr. Paul Song, Chairman of the Courage Campaign and Co-Chair for Campaign for a Healthy California, both organizations participating in the Day of Action.  
 
"Despite spending twice as much as any industrialized nation, far too many people remain uninsured; Far too many go bankrupt due to an illness; And far too many people delay seeking care due to too high co-pays and deductibles. We all deserve much better. That is why people are coming together all throughout the US to highlight not only the greatness of Medicare, but the need for Medicare for all," said Song, who will be speaking at the event in Los Angeles.

The coalition organizing the day of action includes: National Nurses United, the Courage Campaign, Physicians for a National Health Program, Alliance for Retired Americans, Campaign for a Healthy California, Healthcare-NOW!, Progressive Democrats of America, Health Care for All Colorado, Healthcare for All Texas, Illinois Single-Payer Coalition and Public Citizen among others.
 
Planned actions include public forums, rallies, marches, skits, flash mobs and birthday celebration parties, picnics and BBQ's. In Washington DC nurses will lobby legislators to support HR676, the Expanded & Improved Medicare For All Act. This bill would create a publicly financed, privately delivered health care system that improves and expands the already existing Medicare program to all U.S. residents, and all residents living in U.S. territories.
 
NNU also supports HR 1200, the American Health Security Act of 2015, a state-based single-payer bill, introduced by Rep. Jim McDermott.
 
Organizers say the actions will underscore the need to expand access to health care in the U.S. since, despite passage of the Affordable Care Act, millions of residents continue to go without adequate care. Twenty-one states have refused to expand Medicaid coverage to eligible patients and members of Congress, such as U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan, continue to push for reductions in Medicare with proposals to increase the eligibility age, eliminate providers and turn Medicare into a voucher program.
 
The day of action for Medicare's 50th anniversary includes actions in Boston and Western Massachusetts, Chicago, Detroit, El Paso, Tx., Lakewood, Oh., Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, Oakland, Portland, Me., St. Paul, Mn., Washington DC, and other cities.

Find more locations here:
https://www.healthcare-now.org/medicares-anniversary/50th/events/#DC