State Sen. Jim Ferlo and citizens of Pittsburgh will join in a national celebration of the 45th Birthday of the Federal Medicare Act today by rallying to support an expanded Medicare for all.
The rally will be held today, Friday, July 30 at noon at the Allegheny County Court House Fountain Plaza.
Ferlo will join with the PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees, PA Alliance for Retired Americans, Just Harvest and other organizations at the event.
“The Federal Medicare Act is landmark legislation that represents a major national milestone, Ferlo said. “This year’s celebration is critical in light of the forthcoming battle to preserve and protect Medicare and Social Security.”
Ferlo added that Medicare provides medical coverage to 95 percent of all seniors 65 and older. By pooling benefits and risk universally, it advances the right of affordable health care equity through a practical economic model. In addition, Medicare beneficiaries are overwhelmingly satisfied with their coverage.
“Congress should reject any recommendation by the Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform that might threaten the continued sustainability of Medicare and Social Security,” Ferlo said. “Medicare is a successful, publically financed, privately delivered single-payer approach to health care that should be expanded to cover every American.”
Additional Contacts:
* Sandy Fox – Western PA Coalition for Single Payer Healthcare, (412) 421-8233
* Jean Friday – PA Alliance for Retired Americans, (724) 930-9848
* Ken Regal – Just Harvest, (412) 363-5142
* Denise Edwards – Steelworker Organization of Active Retirees, (412) 401-6693
