This week, on July 30, 2015, our Nation will mark the 50th anniversary of the Medicaid and Medicare programs. For 50 years, these programs have been protecting the health and well-being of millions of Americans, saving lives, and improving the economic security of our nation.

The HIV community joins in honoring the 50th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid. Both serve as important sources of coverage for health care services for people living with HIV/AIDS, services that help keep them healthy as well as prevent further HIV transmission. For example:

• Medicare now covers HIV screenings for all Medicare beneficiaries and all Medicare drug plans cover antiretroviral medications; and

• Medicaid is the largest source of coverage in the country for people with HIV. State Medicaid programs often cover routine HIV testing and they all cover prescription drugs, including antiretroviral medications. And with States expanding their programs to low-income childless adults, many more gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men—the population most affected by HIV—are now able to get coverage.

Also, join the 50th anniversary celebration online!

• Anniversary Hashtag: #KeepingUSHealthyExit Disclaimer

• CMS Twitter Handle: @CMSgovExit Disclaimer

• Event Livestream Feed: www.hhs.gov/live/live-1

• Thunderclap: Help us celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid by participating in our Thunderclap on July 30. It’s easy: all you have to do is visit hereExit Disclaimer and select one of the red buttons on the page to support CMS’ 50th anniversary via your Facebook, Twitter, or Tumblr account.

• Tune in to the National Event: On Wednesday, July 29 at 10:30 AM EST, CMS will hold an event at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to commemorate the 50th Anniversary. Secretary Burwell, CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt and a panel of distinguished experts will discuss how Medicare and Medicaid have changed society. The event will be streaming live on the Health and Human Services website: www.hhs.gov/live/live-1.

• 50 Facts in 50 Days: In the 50 Days leading up to the anniversary, CMS is sharing daily facts on Twitter. The information we are sharing highlights the people, places, and progress that represent the Medicare and Medicaid programs. We encourage you to share this information with your constituents by retweeting our posts. The official hashtag for the anniversary is #KeepingUSHealthy.

• Like Medicare on Facebook: As part of the agency’s 50th anniversary celebration of Medicare and Medicaid, CMS launched its Medicare Facebook pageExit Disclaimer. Our page serves as an important informational resource for those who will soon enroll in Medicare and people currently with Medicare coverage. CMS looks forward to providing our community with the latest information and updates on our nation’s largest health insurance program.

• Share Blog Posts from Medicaid.gov: In the 50 Days leading up to the anniversary, Medicaid.gov has been sharing daily posts that highlight the people, places, and progress that represent the Medicaid program. Find the collection of blog posts here.

• Visit the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) 50th Anniversary page for news, articles, and shareable resources.

July 30th is also the date of the launch of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy: Updated to 2020. (Watch live on HIV.gov from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern) Medicare and Medicaid will continue to be critically important sources of support to our national efforts to achieve the Strategy’s goals, ensuring that all Americans living with HIV know their serostatus and get the full benefits of treatment.

For more information on the release of the Updated Strategy, visit blog section at @AIDSgov