My Own Political Party

Medicare was the first attempt at national health insurance. Now that there is a lot of talk about implementing a new national health insurance program, I thought I would take a look at how medicare was started.

In 1945, Harry Truman asked congress to fund a national health insurance program. However, too many were afraid of “socialized medicine” and Truman eventually backed off the idea. Instead, officials in the Social Security administrations determined that adding a health insurance program for Social Security beneficiaries would be a good idea.

It is not until 1965 that Medicare and Medicaid (for indigent people) are signed into law by President Johnson and over 19 million enroll. Truman is the first to enroll in the Medicare and the premium is $3 per month. In 1972 the program is expanded to cover disabled persons under 65 and those with kidney failure.

Federal employees become covered under Medicare in 1983 - 1984. This includes the President and members of Congress. Other coverages (such as for mammography) are added over the years.

Medicare spending may reach $500 billion by 2012 and yet it still does not cover all the necessary procedures for some seniors. Many participants relay on a medicare supplement to help defray medical costs.

When Medicare was first enacted, there were few who believed that retirees over the age of 65 would live much more than 5 to 10 years. However, since people as living much longer today, the strain on Medicare has become enormous. Some predict that eventually the federal government will not be able to afford this benefit.