The Impact of Medicare Through the Eyes of an Oak Crest Resident
July 30, 2015
Parkville, MD—During the summer of 1965, Gerri Gray was a 29-year old librarian working in Baltimore's Enoch Free Library. She was just two years out of graduate school from Rutgers University.
So when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law legislation that established Medicare on July 30, 1965, the event was merely a news story to her.
But ten years later, her father, Hobert Hall, retired from his job as a butcher. And in 1986, her mother, Nora Hall, was left with no pension and only Medicare and Social Security as a widow.
"At that point, I began to see firsthand the importance of Medicare on my Mom's health and financial confidence," stated Mrs. Gray. In fact, her mother would live until the year 2013.
Now, at age 79, Mrs. Gray resides at Oak Crest retirement community in northeastern Baltimore County with her husband John. She serves as the Legislative Chair of the Oak Crest chapter of the Maryland Continuing Care Residents Association (MaCCRA) and is a member of the Book Club and the Speaker's Series Committee.
She's also a Medicare beneficiary, enrolled in the Erickson Advantage program.
"Medicare makes you feel comfortable in retirement," stated Mrs. Gray. "It not only offers its recipients security, but also provides peace of mind to adult children about the well-being of their parents."
According to the Center for Medicare Advocacy (CMA), over 55.2 million Americans are expected to be receiving guaranteed health care benefits through the Medicare program regardless of their medical condition or income in 2015. This includes 46.1 million Americans age 65 and above and 9.1 million Americans receiving Social Security disability benefits. By the time the last of the baby boomers reaches age 65, it is expected that close to 80 million people will be covered through Medicare.
CMA published a list of 50 insights into Medicare's 50th anniversary that can be read here.
About Oak Crest: Oak Crest is one of eighteen continuing care retirement communities managed by Erickson Living. Located in Parkville, Maryland the scenic 87-acre campus is home to more than 2,100 residents. Oak Crest is the ideal greater Baltimore retirement destination offering a true sense of community, convenience beyond compare and a sensible financial structure.
