medicare
UK: ˈmɛdɪkɛə | US: ˈmɛdɪkɛr
n. A national health insurance program in the United States, primarily for people aged 65 or older.
n. (General) A system or policy providing medical care, especially government-sponsored healthcare.
medicare = medi<medical> + care<attention, treatment>
- medi: From Latin medicus (healing, medical), referring to health or treatment.
- care: From Old English caru (sorrow, concern), later evolving to mean "attention or provision for needs."
Etymology Origin:
The word medicare blends medical and care, reflecting its purpose as a system for providing healthcare. Coined in the mid-20th century, it combines Latin roots (medi-) with an Old English term (care) to emphasize both the technical and compassionate aspects of healthcare provision. The term gained prominence with the U.S. Medicare program (established in 1965), but its structure is logical and reusable for similar systems globally.
Many seniors rely on Medicare for affordable prescription drugs.
The government debated expanding Medicare to cover dental services.
In Canada, provincial medicare programs ensure universal healthcare access.
She studied the differences between Medicare and private insurance plans.
Advocates argue that Medicare should include mental health coverage.