Health Care

July 30, 2026

Let’s Celebrate! Let’s Fight!

July 30th is the 61st anniversary of Medicare/Medicaid. When President Johnson signed it, he credited the National Committee for Senior Citizens with getting the legislation passed. The NCSC was superseded by our Alliance for Retired Americans in 2001.

Our seven Texas chapters are celebrating over the next few weeks. We’ll add the 91st birthday of Social Security, August 14, to the fun. Contact your nearest chapter and join in.  You’re invited to join a us on-line at 12:30PM on the first Wednesday, August 5. The physical meeting is at 334 Centre in Dallas.

We’ve Always Had to Fight

Republicans opposed Medicare/Medicaid (and Social Security) when they were passed. America’s seniors have always had to fight to keep what we’ve won, and today is no different.

A New Threat from the Trump Administration

Our national organization sent out this statement by our Executive Director:

“As older Americans struggle to keep up with the rising cost of food, housing, and health care, the Trump Administration has made the reckless decision to raise Medicare Part D prescription drug plan premiums for as many as 25 million Americans.

‘President Trump recently dismissed affordability as ‘a fake word.’ Tell that to the millions of seniors who will soon be paying more each month just to keep the prescription drug coverage they depend on.

‘These higher premiums will come on top of the $300 jump in the out-of-pocket Medicare drug price cap for 2027 (from $2,100 to $2,400) and an expected increase in Medicare Part B premiums.

‘There is no doubt that more seniors will have to make harder choices between paying for prescriptions and paying for groceries, utilities, gas, or other basic necessities.

‘Medicare is marking its 61st anniversary this week, and generations of older Americans earned their Medicare benefits through a lifetime of hard work. Congress must reject this reckless cost shift, force the Administration to reverse course, and strengthen Medicare by negotiating lower prices for more prescription drugs—not demanding more of cash-strapped seniors.”

You Are the Leader We Need

Please write me at genelantz@texasretiredamericans.org for more information. If you are ready to pay $10 annual dues, you can click the “donate” button under my signature. We are in the coalition to build a mighty protest against the Trumpster extravaganza set for Dallas September 9-10, and there are plenty of other battles to win!

in solidarity

Gene

Gene Lantz, President