07/30/2026
📜 On This Day in History: July 30, 1965
President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law, creating federal health insurance for elderly Americans and establishing Medicaid alongside it. The ceremony took place at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri — a fitting choice, since Truman had pushed for national health insurance decades earlier.
In a touching moment, former President Truman became the very first Medicare enrollee, receiving card number one. His wife, Bess, received card number two.
The program launched with two parts: Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B), going into effect on July 1, 1966 with about 19 million Americans enrolled.
Nearly 60 years later, Medicare remains a cornerstone of healthcare for millions of seniors. 🏥❤️
What does Medicare mean to you or your family? Share your thoughts below! 👇
President Lyndon B. Johnson signs Medicare, a health insurance program for elderly Americans, into law. Medicaid, a s...
