Anna Benyo, Senior Health Policy Analyst

We’ve all been there. We’ve said things that we meant at the time, only to encounter circumstances later that change our minds. If you have not had a chance to read Ms. Spike Dolomite Ward’s compelling apology to President Obama, please take a moment to hear her story:

In preparing for this blog post and reflecting on the historical passage of the Social Security Act of 1965 which created the Medicaid and Medicare programs, I am reminded that as much as things change, they remain the same.

Medicaid was created to help the poor. It provides access to vital medical care and services, underscoring a belief that all citizens in this country, not just the privileged, have a right to medical care. Those of us fighting to protect Medicaid recognize that the vision created decades ago is still relevant. It still matters. Decades can pass but this vision for America remains strong: everyone should have access to basic health care for themselves and their families.