1. 11498 POINTS
    Jason Goldenzweig
    Co-Founder, TermInsuranceBrokers.com, Goldenzweig Financial Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
    Medicare was created by congress in 1965 under the social security act and signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was created to help provide health insurance to people age 65 and up, regardless of their income or health status. Several major changes have been made to the programs over the years such as the Medicare modernization act, signed in 2003, that added outpatient prescription drug coverage (as well as a number of other benefits).
    Answered on May 5, 2014
  2. 21750 POINTS
    Jim Winkler
    CEO/Owner, Winkler Financial Group, Houston, Texas
    Great question! The Medicare program was a part of President Lyndon Johnson's war against social inequality, and was signed into law with bi-partisan support in 1965. He put into place several social safety net programs that were designed to help Americans get out of, or avoid poverty, and many that were designed to eliminate inequality or segregation.  Many senior citizens were unable to afford medical help at that time, as costs were prohibitively high for an elderly person, as opposed to a younger one. This program made receiving health care for everyone a possibility. It also helped desegregate many hospitals and providers' offices, as it tied program payments to integration. Thanks for asking!
    Answered on May 5, 2014
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