Medicare Turns 50 Today
On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law. The event took place at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and LBJ told the nation that Medicare “all started with the man from Independence.”
Truman was the first president to publicly endorse a national health insurance program.
As a Senator, Truman had become alarmed at the number of draftees who had failed their induction physicals during World War II. For Truman these rejections meant that the average citizen could not afford visiting a doctor to maintain health. He stated “that is all wrong in my book. I am trying to fix it so the people in the middle-income bracket can live as long as the very rich and the very poor.”
Truman’s first proposal in 1945 provided for physician and hospital insurance for working-aged Americans and their families. A federal health board was to administer the program with the government retaining the right to fix fees for service, and doctors could choose whether or not to participate. This proposal was defeated after, among many factors, the American Medical Association labeled the president’s plan “socialized medicine” taking advantage of the public’s concern over communism in Russia.
Even though he was never able to create a national health care program, Truman was able to draw attention to the country’s health needs, have funds legislated to construct hospitals, expand medical aid to the needy, and provide for expanded medical research.
The Trumans were of modest means, and Harry Truman described the event as a “profound personal experience for me.“
Harry and Bess received Medicare registration card numbers 1 and 2 in January, 1966.
Images:
Harry S. Truman’s Medicare Card #1.
President Lyndon B. Johnson shakes hands with former President Harry S. Truman at the signing of the Medicare Bill. LBJ Library #34897-14.
President Harry S, Truman greets President Lyndon B. Johnson upon his arrival in Independence, Missouri. 7/30/65.
Bess Truman’s Medicare Card #2.
More - Truman’s Plan for National Health Insurance
-from the Truman Library and the LBJ Library
30 julho 2015
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