Happy Birthday Medicare

My, How You've Grown! Happy 48th Binthday, Medicane! There's no doubt that the Medicare program has provided health coverage for millions of Americans since it was conceived by President Johnson in 1965. As Medicare approaches its golden years, let's take a look at some intriguing facts and figures related to this unique program. The standard monthly premium in dollars for Part B in 1965. The number of years Part D has been available to provide 7 prescription drug coverage for Medicare beneficiaries. The number of the Title of the Social Security Act 18 that established Medicare in 1965 to provide healthcare insurance for individuals 65 years of age or older. The percentage of Medicare beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage in 2012. 28 $40 Dollars per year that the Medicare Part A deductible cost when the program was first available in 1965. $105) A The approximate standard monthly premium in dollars for Medicare Part B in 2013. 1,184 Dolars per year that the Medicare Part A deductible costs in 2013 (for hospital stays 60 days or less). The year the program was expanded to cover individuals younger than 65 with certain disabilities. 1972 1997 The year Medicare added the Part C option, which stood for Medicare plus Choice, and is now referred to as Medicare Advantage. The number of baby boomers qualifying 65 for Medicare each day by reaching age 65. 11,000 49,5 million The approximate number of people covered by Medicare in 2012. The approximate number of people expected to be covered by Medicare by the year 2030. 79 million The U.S. federal government's approximate cost in dollars for the Medicare program in 2011. 500 Billion eHealth MEDICARE Sources: http://www.medicarechoices.org/images/MA_LowincomeMinorities_V7.jpg AARP, www.AARP.org, "Medicare Turns 47, Melissa Stanton, July 30, 2012 (http://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-07-2012/medicare-turns-47.html) The Coalition for Medicare Choices, www.medicarechoices.org, "History of Medicare Advantage" (http://www.medicarechoices.org/history-of-medicare-advantage) Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, www.kf.org, "Total Number of Medicare Beneficiaries" (http://kff.org/medicare/state-indicator/total-medicare-beneficiaries) Humana Medicare, www.humana-medicare.com, "History of Medicare" (http://www.humana-medicare.com/medicare-information/history-of-medicare.asp MedPac, www.medpac.gov, "Healthcare Spending and the Medicare Program," June 2010 (http://www.medpac.gov/documents/jun10databookentirereport.pdf) The Official U.S. Site for Medicare, www.medicare.gov, "Medicare and You 2013, rev. Noember 2012 (www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/10050.pdf) Pew Research Center, www.pewresearch.org, "Baby Boomers Retire," December 29, 2010 (http://www.pewresearch.org/daily-number/baby-boomers-retire) Reason.com, www.reason.com, "The Facts About the Government's Medicare Cost Projections" June 3, 2011 (http://reason.com/archives/2011/06/03/the-facts-about-the-government) ...........