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The Social Security Act was signed into law as a part of President Roosevelt's New Deal on August 14, 1935. It was meant to help older Americans financially once they reached the age of retirement. However, as time passed, the government realized that there was something fundamental missing from the Social Security program. Since medical care often becomes more important as a person ages, most of the funds people received from Social Security were being spent on medical care, leaving retirees with no funds for life's necessities such as food and shelter.
On July 30, 1965, the Social Security Act was amended to include a federally funded social insurance program called Medicare. This amendment would provide health insurance for Social Security recipients, freeing the Social Security funds for living expenses. The first person to be enrolled in the Medicare program was former president Harry. S. Truman.
In the beginning, only those aged 65 or older were eligible for Medicare. An amendment was made in 1972 to include disabled people under the age of 65 who qualified for Social Security Disability benefits and people with end stage renal disease. Throughout the years, amendments have been added in order to expand the services that are available for Medicare recipients to include certain chiropractic services and prescription coverage. -
Unlike the Medicaid program, the Medicare program is not free. People with certain income levels are required to pay premiums for certain parts. There are two parts to the Medicare program:
* Part A: This part of Medicare covers hospital stays. Most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A.
* Part B: This part of Medicare cover all other medical needs. Most people do have to pay a premium for Part B.
The following U.S. citizens are eligible for Medicare:
* Those 65 or older and receiving Social Security Retirement benefits
* Disabled persons under the age of 65 who are receiving Social Security Disability Insurance
* Persons under the age of 65 with end stage renal disease -
Part A Hospital Insurance provides the following benefits:
* Inpatient hospital services
* Inpatient and outpatient hospital service at critical access hospitals (hospitals in rural areas that provide limited services)
* Short-term nursing facilities
* Home health care
* Hospice
Part B Medical Insurance provides the following benefits:
* Doctor's visits
* Outpatient hospital services
* Physical therapy
* Occupational therapy
* Home health care that is not covered under Part A - The purpose of the Medicare program is to provide the necessary medical care for older people who are no longer in the work force. Upon qualifying for Social Security retirement benefits, a person becomes eligible for Medicare. Persons who have been deemed disabled by the Social Security Administration and are eligible for Social Security Disability benefits also automatically qualify for Medicare. While the Social Security Act provided a means of living expenses for people over the age of 65, Medicare provided a means of obtaining medical care in the phase of life that requires the most medical care. Medicare functions as a vehicle to help older people maintain their health and have access to health care for illnesses and diseases, such as Alzheimer's, that affect people as they age.
- The Medicare insurance program has made a significant difference in the lives of people over the age of 65, people under the age of 65 who have been declared disabled, and people with end stage renal disease. Medicare has provided the means for these groups to have access to medical care without using the bulk of their Social Security funds. The Social Security benefits can be used to provide essentials such as food and shelter for these groups. The impact that Medicare has made on American society is that older people are healthier and many are living longer, more enjoyable lives.
