In 1963 most elderly had no health insurance, and except for emergency situations, the poor had little access to medical care.  Quality health care was something that was available to the wealthy who were able to travel to major metropolitan areas like Boston or New York.  Since 1965, seventy-nine million people have signed up for Medicare.  This was made possible by legislation enacted under Lyndon Baines Johnson. In addition to making it possible for the elderly and poor to receive access to medical care, the Johnson administration was also responsible for large increases in minimum benefits paid out through the Social Security benefit program.  These increases helped to lift two million people aged 65 and over above the poverty line.  In 1996 twelve million individuals had been lifted above the poverty level.   Medicare and nursing home care under Medicaid today funds care for 68% of nursing home residents, and so frees millions of middle age individuals from assuming the financial burden of elderly loved ones.  One of the results is that they have greater resources to buy homes and send their children to college.

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