Medicare has progressed since 1945 when it was first created by President Harry Truman. He requested that Congress ask for legislation to create a national health plan. “In 1965, President Lyndon Johnson created a law that Medicaid and Medicare is combined together to create one health program. At this time, Medicare Part B was created. In 1972 big changes were made. Disabled people who were under the age of 65, people with chronic kidney disease, and people who received Social Security Supplemental Income were covered under Medicare. Certain medical visits were included also. Speech, physical, and chiropractic services became accessible under this program. Payments for HMO were authorized as well. In 1982, hospice benefits were added for a trial basis. In 1983, hospice inpatient services became a part of this program. Federal and civilian employees gained benefits at this time. In 1984, the President, his employees, and other members of Congress became covered. In 1986, Hospice benefits were made permanent. In 1988, a law was enacted to provide care for prescription drugs and catastrophic illnesses. Mammography coverage was an addition. In 1989, catastrophic illness and prescriptions drugs were permitted. Coverage for pap smears became available. In 1992, Physician services were based upon fee schedule. Medicare + Choice were enacted for the Balanced Budget Act that took place and would be revisited in 1999. The Balanced Budget Refinement Act was created in 1999. Congress refined this law and there was less funding restrictions. In 2000 Medicare + Choice rule is in effect. Prospective Payments for Outpatient Services and Home Health Care was established. Medicare Part B premium rose to $45.40.” Now Medicare has reformed and coverage is more accessible.
As you can see the time line above explains the progression of Medicare since it was first created. Medicare is an essential part of health care coverage. Over the years Medicare has expanded from providing coverage for a single service to many other healthcare needs. There are more advantages to being a beneficiary under Medicare. Medicare has permitted prescription drugs, outpatient visits, and other healthcare services affordable. Society has access to more benefits because Medicare is designed for an individual who needs assistance. A lot of costs have been reduced for medical services. Most important, medications prescribed by doctors during visits are not over priced and Medicare set limits on how much medication should cost and you can choose generic brand of medications that provides the same type of help as the expensive medications. After conducting research and looking at the timeline provided through course net Medicare premiums have raised over a year’s time. The premium for Medicare Part A and B has become a little higher.
The consensus about the future of Medicare is a bit frightening. The cost of Medicare is said to go over the budget that was originally proposed by Congress in the year 2011. The only way Medicare can improve is if the program is revised and the costs are reduced for all medical care services. The cost of Medicare is very important when you are suffering from a chronic illness and there is a premium or deductible that exists on your plan. If you cannot afford the costs for Medicare then you are really going to have problems receiving proper medical care.
I have a problem with the cost of premium and deductibles getting more expensive. These programs were designed for individuals because of their income levels. If the cost of premiums and deductibles keep rising I do not think that people will be able to afford the costs of maintaining health care. This is very upsetting to know that the Medicare and Medicaid benefits taken out of my paycheck is not helping individuals who really need this assistance.
Works Cited:
Medicare and Medicaid (2008). Encyclopedia Britannica. Deluxe Edition. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica.
Moffit, R. M. (2008). The President's Modest Medicare Budget Proposal. Heritage Foundation.
Websites:
Center for Medicare Advocacy. (2007) Retrieved from on March 3, 2008.
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (2007). Overview. Retrieved on from March 3, 2008. .
Senior Journal (2007). Brief History of Medicare Program. Retrieved on March 2, 2008 from
