American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Medicare, the Government's FIRST medical insurance program for the elderly, was instituted during which administration?

1. Johnson

2. Nixon

3. Carter

4. Reagan

The correct answer is: Johnson

Medicare was established during the administration of President Lyndon B. Johnson, who signed it into law on July 30, 1965, as part of the Social Security Amendments. The program was designed to provide health insurance to individuals aged 65 and older, marking a significant milestone in social welfare programs in the United States. The creation of Medicare was a pivotal moment in U.S. healthcare policy, aimed at ensuring that older adults, particularly those with low incomes, could access necessary medical services without suffering financial hardship. This initiative was part of Johnson's broader Great Society vision, which sought to improve the quality of life for all Americans. Subsequent administrations, while they may have made adjustments or expansions to Medicare, did not initiate its creation. Therefore, it was under Johnson's leadership that this vital program began, making it the correct answer to the question.