54 years ago today, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law. Since then, generations of older Americans have had access to guaranteed affordable health care coverage.

The single largest expense Medicare helps cover for its beneficiaries is prescription drugs. And the price of drugs -- and drug corporations’ profits -- are skyrocketing.

The best way to ensure Medicare remains strong is to allow it to negotiate better prices for seniors and taxpayers. Negotiation works. The Veterans Administration and Medicaid pay far less for the same drugs. We’re being fleeced because Congress won’t act.

The system is broken. Nearly 1 in 4 Americans are skipping doses or not taking medicines their doctors prescribe because of the cost. Even seniors with Medicare Part D drug coverage are digging deeper into their pockets to cover their co-pays.

Americans pay the highest drug prices in the world. If enough of us demand change, we can force Congress to take action. Please click this link. Demand that Congress allow Medicare to negotiate drug prices.

No one should have to choose between paying for lifesaving medicines and paying for food and other necessities.

Thanks for all you do.

Brendan Kelly

Field Director

Alliance for Retired Americans