When was Medicare Part D enacted?

Medicare Part D was enacted on December 8, 2003, as part of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA). This legislation aimed to provide prescription drug coverage to Medicare beneficiaries, which was a significant expansion of the Medicare program. The establishment of Part D marked a critical shift in how Americans access and afford prescription medications, allowing millions of seniors and disabled individuals to obtain prescription drugs at lower costs through a variety of plan options. The start date for this benefit coverage began in January 2006, but the actual enactment date solidified its introduction in December 2003, making that date significant in the history of Medicare.