This week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) celebrated the 59th Anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid programs. Signed into law in 1965, Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson formally established the Medicare program, which provides health insurance coverage for those over 65, people with disabilities and those with end stage renal disease. Medicaid is a federal and state program that provides health coverage for low-income children, pregnant women, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. Medicaid is the single largest source of health coverage in the United States covering 82+ million Americans including over 2.9 million Pennsylvanians. Over the years additional services and benefits have been added to both programs including Medicaid Part D Prescription Drug Coverage and the Children’s Health Insurance Program.
