Final answer:
Medicare is a government program that provides health insurance to individuals who are 65 and older. It also covers certain disabilities and end-stage renal disease. Eligibility is based on work history and payment of Medicare taxes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Medicare is a government program that provides health insurance for individuals who are 65 and older. In the early 2000s, approximately 40 million people in the United States were eligible for Medicare.
Medicare helps citizens meet their primary medical care needs, covering services such as hospital stays, doctor visits, and prescription drugs. It is important to note that not everyone who is 65 or older automatically qualifies for Medicare. To be eligible, individuals must have worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years or be the spouse of someone who has.
Additionally, Medicare also covers individuals under the age of 65 who have certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease.