Medicare Birthday Party held July 30th
August 17, 2015
About 30 activists served cake to passers-by and waved to rush hour commuters on 33rd and St. Paul Streets, Thursday evening, July 30th, 2015, the anniversary of the establishment Medicare. The purpose of the celebration was not only to celebrate the popular health insurance program for older Americans that was signed into law July 30, 1965, but to call for an expanded and improved Medicare program for everyone.
The event was part of a national day of action to highlight the continuing need for a comprehensive, universal health insurance program in the US. At lease 87 actions were held across 69 cities in 24 states that mobilized thousands of people.
In Baltimore, the response was enthusiastic and positive. Commuters passing through the busy intersection honked and waved. People walking by stopped to talk, accept an informational handout, and have a piece of cake.
The Baltimore event was sponsored by Health Care NOW! of Maryland; United Workers; and Physicians for a National Health Program, Maryland Chapter. These three organizations are partners in Maryland’s ongoing, “Health Care is a Human Right” campaign, which advocates for establishing a universal, single-payer health care financing system in the US.