Progressive Maryland Celebrates Medicare's 59th Birthday with Community Event

 Community Gathers for Medicare's Anniversary, Highlights Need for Reform Against Insurance Company Greed

Takoma Park, MD – On Sunday, July 28 Progressive Maryland, along with Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), Be A Hero, and People's Action, hosted an energetic and engaging Medicare Anniversary Celebration outside the Takoma Park Farmers Market. The event commemorated Medicare's 59th birthday and gathered community support for the national #ReclaimMedicare and #CareOverCost campaigns.

Supporters gather at medicare table outside the Takoma Park Farmers Market

At the event attendees had the opportunity to sign a birthday card for Medicare, capture memories inside the Medicare Birthday picture frame, and sign our petitions calling for measures to protect Medicare. Conversations with community members revealed a widespread frustration with health insurance company profiteering and the negative impact that Medicare Advantage has on traditional Medicare.

One of the event's highlights was the debut appearance of the "Take a Whack at Insurance Company Greed" piñata. Both children and adults eagerly took turns, symbolically striking back against the insurance industry's greed. This activity, alongside shared stories of personal challenges with Medicare (dis)Advantage and insurance company barriers to care, underscored the need to organize patient and caregiver support for reform.

Pinata used at community event

"We are inspired by the stories and enthusiasm shared by community members," said Patty Snee, Lead Healthcare Organizer at Progressive Maryland. "Medicare Advantage has become a way for private for-profit health insurers to take billions of public dollars from one of the most successful public health programs this country has. The money these companies are taking could be used to expand and strengthen the Medicare program for millions of Americans. This event reinforced our resolve to keep pushing for a system that prioritizes care over profit."

As we look forward to Medicare's 60th birthday next year, Progressive Maryland and its allies remain dedicated to advocating for a healthcare system that delivers the healthcare we need when and where we need it. 

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