We all believe in and support Medicare as the basis of a universal health care program here in the US. To bring that about, we know that we have to simultaneously defend it, improve it, and expand it.
Medicare is a bedrock of our nation’s health care system, and millions of New Yorkers and people across the US have benefited from it since it came into being over half a century ago. Like any public program, it has been improved and expanded over the years, while others have continuously been trying to scale it back or privatize it. We can never let down our vigilance!
Medicare’s anniversary is coming up soon (July 30th). Here’s how you join the celebration!
Anniversary Street Party! Various groups are gathering this coming Fri. July 28th at 12 noon on the plaza outside the NYC offices of our two US Senators from NY, Sen. Charles Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, located in midtown Manhattan at 780 Third Ave. (at E. 48th St.) Sponsoring groups include (in alphabetical order) Cross-Union Retirees Organizing Committee, Jews for Racial and Economic Justice, Metro New York Health Care for All, New York Public Library Retirees Assoc., New York Statewide Senior Action Council, Physicians for a National Health Program – New York Metro Chapter, and Professional Staff Congress CUNY [list in formation.]
Defending Medicare’s new prescription drug price negotiation program: One of the most exciting new developments on Medicare’s horizon was created a year ago as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in the face of fierce opposition from Big Pharma. Its opponents are not letting up, and (so far) six drug corporations and their business allies have filed lawsuits to nullify it, and their political shills in Congress are also filing bills to repeal the program.
This new Medicare program is being rolled over the next two years and go into effect starting in 2026. As the first step, this coming Sept. 1st, Medicare will announce the first group of medicines that will be subject to the new price negotiation process. Public opinion research shows that the IRA’s prescription drug reforms are very popular with the public across the political spectrum – you can read more about that here.
Health care advocates and activists nationwide are launching a 6-week “Countdown to Lower Drug Costs” mini-campaign that is taking place over the upcoming congressional summer recess from late July to early Sept., from Medicare’s anniversary to the IRA’s anniversary (Aug. 16) to Labor Day Week. We’ll be celebrating this exciting accomplishment, letting people know what’s coming when under the IRA to lower drug costs for people on Medicare (there are various measures – some already underway), and calling out the bad actors who are doing all they can to protect Big Pharma’s rapacious price gouging and profiteering.
We’re working with our partners in the New York State Network of the national Health Care for America Now (HCAN) and Lower Drug Prices Now (LDPN) campaigns to plan some activities in the NYC area for the IRA’s anniversary on Wed. Aug. 16, so keep your eye out for more information once the basic details are confirmed.
As a curtain raiser to Aug. 16, we are joining with our HCAN and LDPN partners across the River in New Jersey for an event taking place later this week that is focusing on the lawsuits filed by drug corporations. Please contact us directly for more information on that so that you can participate if you are interested.
We thank everyone for all that you do to defend, improve, and expand Medicare as a cornerstone of our shared goal of health care for all New Yorkers and all across the US.