On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law legislation that established the Medicare and Medicaid programs. For 55 years, these two programs have protected the health and well-being of millions of American families, saving lives, and improving the economic security of our nation. It was controversial at the time, but it wasn’t a new controversy – a national debate on health care had been going on since the early 1900s. President Johnson signed the bill into law at a special ceremony in Independence, Missouri on July 30, 1965.
Since that time, there have been many changes to both Medicare and Medicaid. In 1972, Medicare was expanded to care for disabled people, people with end-stage renal disease who need dialysis or a kidney transplant. The change also included people 65 years and older who chose Medicare for their health coverage.
You can listen to an audio clip of the bill being signed here: https://www.ssa.gov/history/mpeg/videosound.html#8
Over the years, Medicare and Medicaid have changed to give more Americans access to health care. Lives are saved and changed because of these programs.
We believe this is an anniversary that deserves recognition.