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The Medicare System

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How has the Medicare system changed from its original plan in 1964? What has been the impact of this change?

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The Medicare system is discussed in terms of the changes from its original plan in 1964, and the impact of this change. Supplemented with an article explaining Medicare in detail.

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Hi,

Theres have a number of amendments and acts (e..g, increase of benefits to seniors, addition of prescription drugs, etc.) that have expanded the Medicare system since its inscription in 1964.

Let's look at some of them from various sources, which you can draw on for your final copy. I also provided a number of links for further research and one brief overview of the history of Medicare in separate file.

RESPONSE:

1. How have the Medicare system changed from its original plan in 1964? What has been the impact of this change?

Like the Social Security Act that it amended, the 1965 Medicare program was a vehicle for reducing dependency in old age. In reality, both laws were dependency shifting rather than dependency-reducing: mandated dependence of the elderly on the federal government and taxpayers replaced potential dependence on family and charity. (http://www.cato.org/pubs/journal/cj16n3-3.html).

The Medicare system changed overtime to meet the changing needs of the US citizens and the political agendas resulting in reform and making Medicare better. Early amendments were made, such as

· In 1977, Medicare-Medicaid Anti-Fraud and Abuse Amendments (signed HR 3 into law).
· That same year, the Rural Health Clinic Services Bill (December 13,1977) was signed into law (HR 8422 ).

· Amendments to the Medicare Renal Disease (June 13, 1978) Page 87 Statement on signing HR. 8423 into law (see URL: http://64.233.167.104/search?q=cache:DGNYPn0pWE4J:www.cms.hhs.gov/History/Downloads/CMSPresidentsSpeeches.pdf+United+States+Medicare+1964&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ca&client=firefox-a#130 or http://www.cms.hhs.gov/History/Downloads/CMSPresidentsSpeeches.pdf).

A significant change occurred in 1979. National Health Plan (1979), under president Nixon, for example, expanded its original plan to include: protection from catastrophic expenses, expanded benefits for the elderly, improved program for the poor, health services for mothers and infants, extended insurance coverage, cost containment, increased competition, and a framework for a comprehensive plan.

Other amendments and bills included:

· Hospital Cost Containment Legislation November 13,1979 (see Pages 102-103 Letter to the Members of the House of Representatives on Hospital Cost Containment legislation)

· Social Security Disability Amendments of 1980 June 9, 1980 (see Pages 104-105 Statement on signing H.R. 3236 into law)

· Medical Costs And National Health Insurance October 10, 1980 (see Page 106-107 Remarks and a question-and-answer session at a town meeting with senior citizens in St. Petersburg, Florida)

· Social Security Amendments of 1983 February 1, 1984 (see Page 127 Message to the Congress transmitting the fiscal year 1985 budget Medicare)

· With the passage of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997, Medicare beneficiaries were given the option to receive their Medicare benefits through private health insurance plans, instead of through the ...

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