1945  - Harry Truman sends a message to Congress asking for legislation establishing a national health insurance plan. Two decades of debate ensue, with opponents warning of the dangers of "socialized medicine."
By the end of Truman's administration, he had backed off from a plan for universal coverage, but administrators in the Social Security system and others had begun to focus on the idea of a program aimed at insuring Social Security beneficiaries.

July 30, 1965  -  Medicare and its companion program Medicaid, (which  insures indigent recipients), are signed into law by  President Lyndon Johnson as part of his "Great Society. "Ex-president Truman is the first to enroll in Medicare. Medicare Part B premium is $3 per month.

1972  - Disabled persons under age 65 and those with end-stage renal disease become eligible for coverage. Services expand to include some chiropractic services, speech therapy and physical therapy. Payments to HMOs are authorized. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program is established for the elderly and disabled poor.  SSI recipients are automatically eligible for Medicaid.

1982 - Hospice benefits are added on a temporary basis.

1983 - Change from "reasonable cost" to prospective payment system based on diagnosis-related groups for hospital inpatient services begins. Most federal civilian employees become covered.

1984 - Remaining federal employees, including President, members  of Congress and federal judiciary become covered.

1986 - Hospice benefits become permanent.

1988 - Major overhaul of Medicare benefits is enacted aimed at providing coverage for catastrophic illness and prescription drugs.  Coverage is added for routine mammography.

1989 - Catastrophic coverage and prescription drug coverage are repealed. Coverage is added for pap smears.

1992  - Physician services payments are based on fee schedule.

1997 - Medicare+Choice is enacted under the Balanced Budget Act. Some provisions prove to be so financially restrictive when regulations are unveiled that Congress is forced to revisit the issue in 1999.

1999 - Congress "refines" Medicare+Choice and relaxes some Medicare funding restrictions under the Balanced Budget Refinement Act of 1999. Medicare Justice Coalition founded to deal with inequities of Medicare Funding providers punishes providers, payers and consumers in areas of the country that provide relatively cost effective quality health care. Led by MN Senior Federation

2000 - Medicare+Choice Final Rules take effect. Prospective payment systems for outpatient services and home health agencies take effect. Minnesota Senior Federation and MN Attorney General sue Federal Government over inequities in Medicare funding. The Medicare Justice Coalition is successful in getting equity legislation passed by Congress that increases Medicare funding in low cost areas of the country by $4.3 billion. Medicare Part B premium is $45.40 per month.

2001 - Medicare +Choice programs in Minnesota reduce premiums and increase benefits as of result of MJC led legislation passed in 2000. Medicare B Premium is $50 per month. Medicare Modernization Act is enacted in December that will provide an optional Medicare prescription drug benefit (starting in 2006) and allows for greater privatization of Medicare. U.S. House of Representatives led by Congressman Gil Gutknecht passes major prescription drug importation legislation with tri-partisan support. Dies in Senate

2004 - May 1st – Medicare Approved Prescription Drug Discount Card begins marketing (will end on December 31st 2005) Medicare Part B Premium is $66.60 premium per month.

2005 - Medicare Part B Premium is $78.20 premium per month and Part A Hospital deductible increases from $100 to $110.  July 30th – Medicare is 40 years old. October 1st – Marketing begins of new Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part D prescription Drug Options. November 15th – Enrollment begins in new Medicare Options.

2006 - Medicare B Premium rises to at least $89.20. January 1, 2006 - January 1 -Medicare D voluntary prescription drug benefit begins at a monthly cost of about $ 2.00 to $100. January 1  - Medicaid ceases to cover Medicare eligible persons  May 15 – Open enrollment of Medicare Part D ends and premiums increase 1% per month for every month of enrollment delay (for most individuals).

2017 - Medicare projected to be insolvent, without major changes. (2005 Medicare Trustees Report)

Note: Much of this material is taken form the Senior Journal.com