Fifty years ago, on July 30th, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid Bill into law as part of his “Great Society” initiative. Public Law 89–97 amended the Social Security Act by adding Titles XVIII for Medicare and XIX for Medicaid. This historic signing took place at the Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri to honor former President Harry Truman. During his political career, President Truman was a strong advocate for national health insurance and he received the very first Medicare card.
How has Medicare changed life for seniors in this country?1
Health insurance — In 1962, approximately 51% of all persons over the age of 65 had private health insurance; 49% did not. Today, 99.9% of all Americans over the age of 65 have health insurance through Medicare.
Cost of Health Insurance for Seniors — In 1962, a Blue Cross “state 65″ insurance plan cost $600 per year or approximately 25% of a senior’s 1962 $2,875 annual income. More than 25% of all seniors went without medical care due to health insurance costs. Today, the vast majority of Americans over 65 pay a much more modest percentage of their monthly Social Security benefit for Medicare Part B. Medicare Part A is free.
Life expectancy — Life expectancy of a 65 year old increased from 79.3 years in 1965 to 83.6 years in 2007.
Poverty — Before Medicare, 33% of all seniors were living in poverty. Today, less than half that number, or 14%, live in poverty.
There have been other social benefits. In 1965 any hospital wishing to accept Medicare was required to desegregate. As a result, over 1000 hospitals integrated staff and patients in 4 months. In 1985 any hospital that participated in Medicare and had an ER was required to provide basic stabilizing treatment to all regardless of insurance status.
There have been other enhancements to Medicare since its introduction 50 years ago.2
1972 Disability coverage for those under 65 provided
1980 Improved access to home care
1982 Hospice coverage added
1992 Medicare Supplement Insurance plans are standardized
2006 Prescription Drug plans added
Medicare has been a boon to the health and well-being of seniors and the disabled in our nation. Just remember when it wasn’t so.
1Mimms G. Life Before Medicare. 2012. Available at: Website not currently online. Accessed: June 29, 2015.
2Center for Medicare Advocacy
