Reference no: EM132498285

The U.S. Congress passed legislation to establish a federally funded health insurance program for aged persons in 1965. Title XVIII of the Social Security Act, also known a Medicare, was made into law by president Lyndon B. Johnson. The first recipient of Medicare benefits was former President Harry S. Truman, who had received his card at the bill-signing ceremony. Medicare soon became the largest single healthcare payer in the United States. Currently, Medicare has provided coverage for more than 40 million Americans. Many expected enrollment in Medicare to almost double by 2031. This increase was partly because of the huge generation of baby boomers, who began to turn 65 in 2010. But Medicare itself is expanding as well. Medicare coverage was only available to American citizens over the age of 65, but recently coverage has extended to many others with long-term conditions.