Over the last few months, Medicare and Medicaid have been a central focus of this Coalition. Together, we’ve spoken out about these programs and their importance in guaranteeing health care coverage and reducing disparities in health access.
Because we know that health care funding will continue to be a priority going forward, we also want to make sure that we all understand why Medicare is so important to 62.2 million people. So here’s some history:
The cost of health care and age are interconnected. The older you are, the higher your chance of needing care. Before Medicare, older people who no longer had access to employer-based insurance found themselves without any coverage at all. Health care debt was mounting, and life expectancies were shrinking.
Medicare, along with its counterpart Medicaid, were signed into law by Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965. The Medicare program is paid for through two trust accounts, funded by employee payroll taxes, funds authorized by Congress, and premiums from people enrolled in the program. With these funds, Medicare provides health insurance coverage for people 65 and older, ensuring these Americans access to high quality and affordable health care.
Since 1965, the program has grown to include additional coverage types including coverage for people with disabilities. Lawmakers created Medicare to address the needs of vulnerable members of our population and, in doing so, create a more equitable future for our country. Medicare has delivered on that promise, and it remains more important than ever before.
For over 50 years, the Medicare and Medicaid programs have been protecting the health and well-being of millions of American families.
Take this one-click survey to let us know if you or a loved one has had your life impacted by access to Medicare in the 57 years of its existence.
Thank You,
Coalition to Protect America's Health Care |
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