History of Medicare

Medicare is an insurance program provided by the government for citizens who are 65 years old or older. There are other special criteria for individuals being able to participate in the Medicare program, such as their income earnings, other retirement options and the amount of money that they put into the Social Security fund. The first Medicare law was put in place in 1965 and is part of the Social Security Act of 1965.

1945

• In 1945, Medicare was first thought of when Harry Truman requested that Congress establish a type of national health insurance plan. The government debated for 20 years before coming up with Medicare.

1965

• A law was passed my President Lyndon Johnson that included provisions for Medicare and Medicaid. Truman was the first to enroll in the new Medicare Part B program for $3 a month.

1972

• The law was changed to include disabled individuals in the Medicare plan. Unlike before when participants had to be over 64 years old, there wasn't an age required but on this provision.

1984

• The plan changed again to include all ex-presidents and their dependents. Government workers were also adopted into the plan.

1986

• Hospice costs were started to be covered on a temporary basis in 1982. In 1986, the adoption of hospice costs became permanent.

1988

• Medicare received another overall to include prescription medications and catastrophic illnesses.