I don't quite understand, I've never heard medicare classified as government assistance.. It's not a need based program, it's for people who've paid into it and are disabled or 65 & older.

Do you refuse Social security benefits too when you are eligible for those??

Just wondering, this is all a very new concept for me. I've worked since I was 15, never received a penny of any 'assistance', and doing fairly well for myself, but this classifying Medicare as 'public assistance' is a very new concept that I haven't heard of. I looked at Medicare's website and it mentions that individuals are automatically signed up for it at 65. Maybe I'm confusing Medicare with the other 'assistance' like medicaid, prescription assistance, free care programs, etc that are available and are need based.... FYI - also Medicare reimburses providers a certain amount based on DX, procedures, etc, which is a lot less than what others pay also. Just confused here.