Medicare
Medicare is a public health insurance program run by the federal government. It provides healthcare coverage primarily for people 65 and older, as well as certain younger individuals with disabilities or serious health conditions like End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
Medicare helps cover hospital care, doctor visits, preventive services, and prescription drugs — making it a vital resource for millions of Americans who need affordable, reliable healthcare coverage in retirement or due to medical need.
When Was Medicare Started?
The Medicare program was officially signed into law on July 30, 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The first Medicare cards were issued the following year in 1966. It was established as part of the Social Security Amendments of 1965, during a time when many older Americans lacked access to affordable healthcare.
Before Medicare, about half of Americans over 65 had no health insurance, often due to age-related health issues and fixed incomes that made private insurance unaffordable or unavailable. Medicare was created to fill that critical gap and provide healthcare security in retirement.
Why Was Medicare Created?
Medicare was designed to ensure that seniors and people with serious health conditions would not go without necessary medical care simply because they couldn’t afford it. It was created as a public health insurance program funded by taxes, with the goal of improving both access to care and overall quality of life for older adults.
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Since its creation, Medicare has helped tens of millions of Americans receive hospital care, doctor visits, preventive screenings, and life-saving medications. It plays a vital role in protecting the health and financial stability of seniors and those living with long-term disabilities.