Medicare

Medicare, U.S. government-financed system of medical and hospital insurance for people aged 65 and over. It was set up in 1965 by legislation supported by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was opposed by the American Medical Association, which objected on principle to possible government intervention, although the cost of private treatment had risen beyond the means of most older people. In 1972 Medicare was extended to cover disabled Social Security beneficiaries and persons of any age suffering from chronic kidney disease.