Medicare enrollment tops 55 million 50 years after creation (Data)

More than 55 million Americans are covered under Medicare, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said on Tuesday, releasing the numbers to show how much the federal program has grown since it was created 50 years ago.

Medicare was signed into law on July 30, 1965, and by 1966 had 19.1 million enrolled. But as the baby boomer retirement wave has begun, that enrollment has swelled.

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"As we preserve and advance Medicare for future generations, we are focused on helping build a better system with smarter spending that keeps people healthier," acting CMS administrator Andy Slavitt said in a statement.

At the same time, enrollment in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program is just under 72 million.

The below chart shows state-by-state enrollment in Medicare, Medicare Advantage and the Part D prescription drug plans as of May 2015:

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