Statement of HHC President Dr. Ram Raju on the 50th Anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2015

President Lyndon B Johnson signs Medicaid and Medicare into law (1965)

(New York, NY) - Dr. Ram Raju, President and CEO of the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest public healthcare system in the country, today commented on the 50th anniversary of Medicaid and Medicare.

“Medicaid has proven to be so crucial and effective that it is high time it be granted ‘untouchable’ status in national and local politics,” said Dr. Raju. “Providing healthcare to the poor and vulnerable is perhaps the most significant step this nation has taken towards building a more equitable Great Society.

“Caring for those most in need is a moral imperative. Our nation spends billions of dollars on transportation safety, on clean air and clean water, and in response to accidents and disasters, all to preserve human life. Yet we accept that every year thousands of people will die because they cannot afford healthcare. As a country we should not tolerate this situation.”

Contact: Ian Michaels, HHC, 212-788-3339

About HHC

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area's largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlus Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. HHC serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. HHC Health and Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. HHC was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission's John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nyc.gov/hhc or find us on facebook.com/nycHHC or twitter.com/HHCnyc.