The Anniversary of Medicare: A Time to Reflect and Act

by Minnesota State Senator John Marty
August 8, 2013

Forty-eight years ago this summer, President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare into law, providing health care for millions of older Americans. As our state begins full implementation of the Affordable Care Act, it is appropriate to reflect on the progress we have made on giving health care access to Americans, and commit to delivering Medicare for All.

At the signing of the Medicare law, President Johnson said, "No longer will older Americans be denied the healing miracle of modern medicine. No longer will illness crush and destroy the savings that they have so carefully put away over a lifetime so that they might enjoy dignity in their later years."

The Medicare program has largely succeeded in fulfilling that promise. Seniors get the healthcare they need, when they need it. It still doesn't cover all medical needs, but over the years, it has been expanded several times to increase the number of people covered, and the number of services provided. In 1972, people under age 65 who had long-term disabilities were included in Medicare. In 2003, prescription drug coverage was added.

More recently, the Affordable Care Act (often called ObamaCare) added preventive care services to Medicare, as well as mammograms and other health screenings, and it reduced the co-payments seniors pay for prescription drugs.

For older Minnesotans, Medicare has been a lifesaver.

Minnesotans under 65, however, have been covered — or not covered — under a fragmented and broken system of employer-based health insurance, private plans, public programs, or no insurance at all.

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