Medicare Started in 1965
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the bill that led to Medicare on July 30, 1965.
It was signed into law alongside Medicaid by Johnson as part of the Social Security Amendments of 1965 and was enacted under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act.
At first, Medicare contained only Parts A and B and was for those 65 or older. However, today Medicare contains Part C and D, and more groups are eligible.
Also, while the program began under the Social Security Administration (SSA), it is now administered by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
Citation: CMS’ program history Medicare & Medicaid. CMS.Gov.
Thomas DeMichele
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