Medicare turns 50 years old

Today marks Medicare’s 50th Anniversary. It was on this day, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare and Medicaid into law.

Health Insurance is an expense at any age. But for senior citizens medical expenses add up.

Elaine Johnson who uses Medicare is happy its still around.

“I would be devastated I would not be able to probably have the things that I have, live the life-style I’m having right now,” said, Johnson.

A simple doctors visit or overnight stay adds up. But for elderly people who are 65 and older, health insurance is an important part of how they live their lives.

President of The Idaho Alliance for retired Americans Steve Landon says he’s looking out for younger adults. And Medicare is in their future as well.

“Kids, our grand kids, the young people coming through now we’re not fighting just for ourselves just to say you know give me what I have what I have earned. And let me take myself into the future, I’m fighting for my kids and grand kids cause whatever I’m getting they deserve but they deserve better,” said Landon.

Most senior citizens live on social security and have a hard time living on that.

“It’s important for the senior because it’s the only insurance they can afford,” said Dennis Colton.

“Bottom line I was starting to get old, and the reality that I got from that is as you get older you’re in need of more assistance. And you don’t have the energy to overcome it. That you did when you were younger. And people who are at this age, definitely need this secondary insurance assistance,” said Jerilynn Mecham.