Noem Weekly Column: 47 Years of Medicare

Statement

On July 30, 1965, Medicare was enacted to ensure America's seniors would receive health coverage regardless of income or medical history. Forty-seven years later, 50 million Americans rely on this critically important program. However, Medicare is facing serious challenges. By 2024, Medicare will go bankrupt, according to the program's Trustees. I am fighting to save it.

I support a bipartisan plan that would save and strengthen Medicare for future generations, put patients in control of their own health care decisions and ensure nothing changes for anyone 55 or older. The President doesn't have a plan to save Medicare, but his health care law would cut $500 billion from Medicare and empower an unelected board of 15 bureaucrats, known as the Independent Payment Advisory Board, to make health care decisions for seniors.

There are two choices facing us today when it comes to Medicare. One, we could do nothing and let Medicare go bankrupt, which according to the Trustees could result in increased taxes and decreased benefits. Or, we could empower seniors to continue making health care decisions and ensure the program continues providing support to America's seniors for generations to come.

Like many South Dakotans, Medicare is a very personal issue for me. My grandmother is on Medicare and my mom is going to be soon, so I refuse to stand by and allow this important program to go bankrupt. I believe we need to keep our promise to seniors when it comes to Medicare, and that's exactly what the bipartisan plan I support would do. This plan would keep Medicare exactly as it is today for anyone 55 or older and increase the health care coverage options for people who are younger. These options would be voluntary, meaning folks could still choose traditional Medicare if they like. Furthermore, our plan would give less assistance to wealthier people and more to those with greater health needs.

There is a lot of misinformation out there and many seniors I speak with are frustrated by the differing accounts they hear. I believe America's seniors are too important to play political games with and deserve to know the truth.

The fact that Medicare is running out of money has been accepted by experts across the political spectrum. I want to continue working with Republicans and Democrats to find a way to ensure this program can serve today's seniors and also be there for our children and grandchildren.

I also want to ensure seniors have access to all the information available about Medicare. My office is able to answer questions and put folks in touch with other people who can help. I encourage anyone with questions or concerns about today's Medicare program and its future to contact my office at 605-275-2868.

Rep. Kristi Noem is South Dakota's lone U.S. Representative, elected in November 2010. She serves on the Agriculture, Education and Workforce and Natural Resources Committees.

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