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President Lyndon B. Johnson signed medicare into law to begin the Medicare and Medicaid programs
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Medicare benefits began for more than 19 million individuals enrolled in the health program.
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In 1972, Medicare was expanded to cover the disabled, people with end-stage renal disease (ESRD).
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The Tax Equity and Fiscal Responsibility Act adds a medicare hospice benefit, which establishes a program through which medicare beneficiaries can choose to obtain their benefits from private health insurance plans.
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The Social Security Amendments of 1983 establish the prospective payment system for inpatient hospital services.
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Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act established quality standards for Medicare- and Medicaid - certified nursing homes.
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Catastrophic Coverage Act established and outpatient prescription drug benefit and a cap on beneficiaries' out-of-pocket costs.
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The Reconciliation Act of 1989 changed the way physicians are paid by Medicare to encourage more efficient care.
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Implemented the prospective payment system for outpatient services and established Medicare Part C, which expanded the type of private plans available to Medicare beneficiaries.
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George W. Bush signed the Medicare Modernization Act, which established a prescription drug benefit available to all Medicare beneficiaries.
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Barrack Obama signed the Affordable Care Act, which strengthened Medicare coverage of preventive care, and reduced beneficiary liability for prescription drug costs.