Is any U. S. citizen unaffected by the current health care reform debate? I doubt it. Over the past few months I have found myself confused by proposals, heartened by promises, disillusioned by fallbacks, afraid of personal loss, aghast at obvious disinformation, and unsure of facts. Sorting things out in writing helps me to understand, and that is the purpose of this blog—to help myself understand this complex issue a little better. I invite you along for the ride.
Teddy Roosevelt (US President 1901-1909) First to call for national health coverage for all, proposing it in his losing 1912 campaign.
Franklin D. Roosevelt (U.S. President 1933-1945) Wanted national insurance, but had to drop it from the Social Security bill.
Harry S. Truman (U.S. President 1945-1953) Sent a bill to Congress that never passed.
Dwight D. Eisenhower (U.S. President 1953-1961) Tried to cover high risk and low income people, but failed twice.
John F. Kennedy (U.S. President 1961-1963) Tried to get a version of medicare passed, but failed.
Lyndon B. Johnson (U.S. President 1963-1969) Passed Medicare--national healthcare for the elderly & disabled-- after much arm-wrestling. Saw to it that Truman received the first Medicare card.
Richard M. Nixon (U.S. President 1969-1974) Proposed universal coverage through private insurers with government subsidies. Watergate quashed the idea.
William J. Clinton (U.S. President 1993-2001) Tried and failed to pass universal health care.
George W. Bush (U.S. President 2001-2009) Passed problematic prescription drug coverage for Medicare.
Just an ordinary citizen here. No health care creds, only a consumer and educated reader. As far as health insurance goes, I’m one of the “haves,” with excellent employee-based health insurance. Approaching Medicare age, I know change is certain, but I'll still be one of the lucky ones.
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