Changes

'''Medicare''' is the [[United States Government]] welfare system that reimburses most expenses for covered medical services for persons over 65 years old and for certain disabled persons under 65 years old as follows:

'''Medicare''' is the United States Government safety net system that reimburses most expenses for covered medical services for persons over 65 years old and for certain disabled persons under 65 years old as follows:

*All hospital charges for covered services are reimbursed under [[Medicare Part A]]; and

*All hospital charges for covered services are reimbursed under [[Medicare Part A]]; and

*Most [[physician]] fees for covered services are reimbursed under [[Medicare Part B]] for individuals who have enrolled in Part B and make payments for that coverage.

*Most physician fees for covered services are reimbursed under [[Medicare Part B]] for individuals who have enrolled in Part B and make payments for that coverage.

The reimbursements under Medicare have been declining in real dollars over time and the system is predicted to go bankrupt in a few decades.

Originally, Medicare covered only those 65 and older. In 1972, Congress added the disabled, now about 15% of beneficiaries. It also covered dialysis for kidney failure. In 2003, Bush asked for and Congress created a drug benefit. Other services such as hospice care and mammograms have been added.  

==Politics==

==Politics==

Medicare was first implemented as part of President Lyndon Johnson's vast social programs.

Medicare was first implemented as part of President Lyndon Johnson's [[Great Society]] in 1965.

Former Democratic Sen. John Breaux made a proposal which supports raising the Medicare eligibility age. [http://www.factcheck.org/overspiced_louisiana_gumbo.html]

Former Democratic Sen. John Breaux made a proposal which supports raising the Medicare eligibility age. [http://www.factcheck.org/overspiced_louisiana_gumbo.html]

[[category:medicine]]

[[category:medicine]]