Medicare

History of Medicare

The idea for a national healthcare program has been an idea for well over 100 years. However, it wasn’t until the 1960’s that this idea for a national program began to become reality. John F. Kennedy is who decided to recommend implementing a program for Americans 65 and older. During this time, most Americans did not have access to insurance after retirement.

When President Kennedy introduced a plan for a healthcare program for older Americans using their Social Security it was not approved by Congress. It wasn’t until Lyndon B. Johnson was in office and called on Congress to create a program, which was Medicare - signed into law in 1965.

When Medicare was signed into law, it was structured in the way most people are familiar with today - Original Medicare Part A and Part B. Medicare has progressed and changed a lot throughout the years as different Administrations have incorporated their ideas to help Americans with individual healthcare needs.