What Do Medicare and the Moon Landing Have in Common?

Tom Saue
Oct 21
2 min read

Hey everyone, it’s Tom Saue – one of the agents at Citizens Alliance Agency (CAA). Since we’re currently in the “Medicare Season” I thought I’d point out some fun Medicare facts that you probably didn’t know.

1. Medicare is older than the moon landing!

Medicare was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson on July 30, 1965—four years before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon in 1969.

2. The first two Medicare recipients were American icons.

Former President Harry S. Truman and his wife Bess were the first official recipients of Medicare cards. Truman received his card directly from LBJ in a ceremony to honor his efforts in pushing for national health insurance decades earlier.

3. Medicare covers more than 66 million people.

As of 2025, Medicare provides health coverage to over 66 million Americans, including seniors and younger people with certain disabilities or end-stage renal disease.

4. Original Medicare doesn’t cover everything.

Despite its broad coverage, Original Medicare doesn’t cover things like routine dental, vision, hearing aids, or long-term care—which surprises many new enrollees.

5. There’s a Medicare card scam about every 11 minutes.

Medicare fraud is big business. Scammers often target seniors by pretending to be from Medicare. A good rule of thumb? Medicare will never call you unsolicited to ask for personal information.

6. Medicare spends over $900 billion a year.

Medicare is one of the largest parts of the federal budget—its annual spending is nearly $1 trillion, making it a vital part of the U.S. healthcare system.

7. October 15–December 7 is “Medicare Season.”

This is Medicare Open Enrollment, when you can review and switch your plan. It’s kind of like a “Black Friday” for Medicare shoppers—minus the long lines.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about Medicare plans please feel free to reach out to myself of one of the other agents at Citizens Alliance Agency.