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DESCRIPTION:On Medicare's 50th Birthday, We demand: \nProtect Medicare, Improve 
 Medicare, \nExpand Medicare to Cover Everyone! \nThursday, July 30, 11 AM, 
 Frank Ogawa Plaza, Oakland \n12th Street BART Station, exit using 14th St. 
 escalator. \nPoster below, visit Facebook page: http://tinyurl.com/nvf7l2u 
 \n\nThis summer marks the 50th year of Medicare, the nation's most 
 successful medical program, which has kept millions of older and disabled 
 people out of poverty, and saved millions from an early death from medical 
 neglect. On July 30, Medicare's birthday will be celebrated in major events 
 in at least 30 cities across the nation. \n\nDespite Medicare's success, it 
 is at a crossroads: \n\nOn one hand, the corporate agenda in government is 
 to raise Medicare's eligibility age, reduce Medicare's benefits, cut its 
 funding, and chop Medicare into bits and turn the pieces over to private 
 insurance companies. \n\nOn the other hand, workers of all ages and their 
 families desperately need the health coverage that a Medicare-type program 
 would offer, as the Affordable Care Act's high premiums, high out-of-pocket 
 payments, limited doctor and hospital choice, and huge healthcare profits 
 make comprehensive healthcare unaffordable. \n\nMedicare's 50-year-old 
 history goes hand-in-hand with the struggle against racial discrimination. 
 Civil Rights advocates originally fought for Medicare as a way to eliminate 
 racially segregated hospitals, which would be ineligible for federal 
 funding. Since then, Medicare and Social Security, whose 80th birthday is 
 August 14, have kept millions of Blacks, Latins, and women out of poverty. 
 \n\nCreating a cradle-to-grave Medicare-for-All (single-payer) program is 
 our only viable way to give comprehensive, high-quality, accessible, 
 healthcare to everyone, regardless of age, income, and status of 
 employment, health, or documentation, with a single standard of healthcare 
 for everyone. \n\nPlease join us in Oakland's Frank Ogawa Plaza on 
 Thursday, July 30, at 11 AM. There will be a lineup of distinguished and 
 passionate speakers, share your own stories of why Medicare and universal 
 healthcare are important, and other family-friendly activities. Buses will 
 be bringing people from all over Northern California. \n\nSan Francisco 
 people are meeting at the fountain at UN Plaza (7th & Market, Civic Center 
 BART) to BART over to Oakland’s 12th Street BART together. For more 
 information, call Michael at 415-215-7575 or email mlyon01 [at] 
 comcast.net.\n https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/07/17/18775048.php
SUMMARY:Medicare's 50th Birthday: Protect it! Improve it! Expand it to Everyone!
LOCATION:Oscar Grant/Frank Ogawa Plaza \nBroadway & 14th St. Oakland \n(12th St. 
 BART, exit at 14th St. escalator)
URL:https://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2015/07/17/18775048.php
DTSTART:20150730T180000Z
DTEND:20150730T200000Z
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