Final answer:
Medicare is primarily for the elderly, providing health services to those over sixty-five and certain disabled individuals. Over 40 million people were eligible for Medicare in the early 2000s, and this demographic is notably politically active.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicare is primarily for people who meet the following requirement: 1) Elderly. This program, enacted in 1965, provides health services to individuals over sixty-five years old, as well as to people who meet other standards for disability. While Medicaid offers services to people with very low incomes, Medicare is focused on the elderly population and those with certain disabilities.
In the early 2000s, approximately 40 million people in the United States were eligible for Medicare. This segment of the population is recognized for being politically active, influencing elections by voting at high rates and contributing to political campaigns. In the 2012 presidential election, for example, 70% of those over age 65 voted, highlighting the political significance of this demographic.