when did medicare start in the us

Medicare started in the U.S. on July 30, 1965 , when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid Act into law. The program began enrolling people in July 1966.

Quick Scoop

• Signed into law: July 30, 1965.

• First enrollments began: July 1, 1966.

• Purpose: To provide health insurance for older adults, with later expansions to other groups.

Why it matters

Medicare was created to help older Americans get more reliable health coverage, since many people over 65 had limited access to affordable insurance before it existed. It started as a federal health insurance program and later expanded into the parts and benefits people know today.

TL;DR

Medicare began in 1965, and people could start enrolling in 1966.