50 years ago: 1965

WASHINGTON — Wilbur J. Cohen, undersecretary of health, education and welfare, said Tuesday the premiums for supplementary medicare insurance probably will have to be increased within a few years. But he said he is hopeful the increases will be gradual.

Under the Medicare legislation which President Johnson signed last week, people over 65 will pay $3 a month initially for the supplementary insurance protection which covers doctors’ bills and certain other medical expenses not included in the basic hospital insurance program. The program goes into effect next July 1, and the law specifically forbids any increase in premiums for two years.