The Medicare Debates of 1965, 1995, and 2003
Pros and Cons of Medicare’s Creation and Subsequent Reforms
Since its establishment in 1965, Medicare has provided an important measure of health security for the Nation’s elderly. Over the years, however, the program’s rising costs and long-term solvency have been constant themes of debate. The 1965 Debate During the 1964 political campaign, President Lyndon B. Johnson promised, if elected, to seek passage of legislation establishing a program of “medicare” for the aged under the Federal Social Security system. Following the Democratic victory, the first bill introduced in each house of the newly convened 78th Congress was the King-Anderson bill (after Representative Cecil King [CA-D] and Senator Clinton Anderson [NM-D])….
