Medicare was signed in to law in 1965 by President Lyndon B. Johnson as an amendment to existing Social Security Legislation. The first Medicare card was issued to former President Harry S. Truman.
About 19 million people were enrolled in Medicare during the program's first year. The 1972 Social Security Amendments expanded Medicare to provide coverage to disabled persons receiving cash benefits for 24 months under the social security program and persons suffering from end-stage renal disease.
President George W. Bush signed the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act into law in 2003. This legislation allowed seniors and those with disabilities prescription drug benefits, as well as more health care choices.
About 19 million people were enrolled in Medicare during the program's first year. The 1972 Social Security Amendments expanded Medicare to provide coverage to disabled persons receiving cash benefits for 24 months under the social security program and persons suffering from end-stage renal disease.
President George W. Bush signed the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act into law in 2003. This legislation allowed seniors and those with disabilities prescription drug benefits, as well as more health care choices.