Medicare
Medicare, the federal health insurance program that covers 48 million elderly and disabled Americans, has played a central role in the U.S. health system since it was established in 1965. Individuals become eligible for Medicare when they reach age 65, if they or their spouse made payroll tax contributions for 10 or more years. People under age 65 qualify for Medicare after 24 months of receiving Social Security Disability payments, or if they have end-stage renal disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease).