Medicare Rights Rolls Out Their 50 Wishes for Medicare’s Future
–Celebrates 50 Years of the Medicare Program–

New York, NY—On July 30, 2015, Medicare will celebrate 50 years since it was signed into law. In those 50 years, Medicare has provided guaranteed health benefits to millions of older adults and people with disabilities. Today, 54 million Americans and their families rely on Medicare for basic health and economic security.

“This landmark anniversary represents an important opportunity to celebrate the undeniable successes of the Medicare program,” said Joe Baker, President of the Medicare Rights Center (Medicare Rights). “It is also an excellent chance to look forward and explore how policymakers can make the Medicare program even better over the next 50 years.”

Medicare Rights is counting down to this historic anniversary by making 50 wishes for Medicare’s future. Starting today, one wish will be posted each day on Medicare Rights’ website and on Facebook and Twitter until July 30. The wishes include ideas big and small—from adding new benefits to clarifying beneficiary notices.

Baker concluded, “Thinking ahead to the next 50 years, it is critically important for lawmakers to advance global changes to modernize benefits in both Original Medicare and private Medicare health plans. But it is equally important for policymakers to press forward on seemingly small fixes to improve how Medicare beneficiaries navigate their coverage day-to-day.”

Join us as we list 50 ways lawmakers can commit to a brighter future for Medicare and the American people. To help us celebrate the 50th anniversary of Medicare, track each day’s wish at www.medicarerights.org/50wishes and add your own wishes on Facebook and Twitter using #50MedicareWishes.

Contact: Mitchell Clark, Senior Communications Associate, mclark@medicarerights.org, 212-204-6286

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