© 2026 All Rights reserved WUSF
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our daily newsletter, delivered first thing weekdays, keeps you connected to your community with news, culture, national NPR headlines, and more.

Medicare Evolution

Host Bob Edwards talks to Donna Shalala, Secretary of Health and Human Services, on this, the 35th anniversary of the Medicare program. They discuss how Medicare has changed over the last three decades and what challenges are ahead for the system. Secretary Shalala makes the case for the Clinton administration's proposal that prescription drugs be covered by Medicare. About 39 million Americans receive Medicare benefits.

Copyright 2000 NPR

Thanks to you, WUSF is here — delivering fact-based news and stories that reflect our community.⁠ Your support powers everything we do.