Universal health care was almost part of the original Social Security Act of 1935

[Uncle Joe]

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt planned for federally sponsored health insurance to be part of Social Security. It was thrown out in order to hurry the bill through Congress. By the time he and subsequent presidents attempted to return to the matter, conservatives had branded universal health care as part of a socialist agenda.

(snip)

His predecessor, President Herbert Hoover, had upheld a policy of federal distance when it came to economic matters. A proponent of the free market, even amidst crisis, Hoover instead called on states to stabilize income and private charities to serve the immediate needs of the poor. It didn’t work. In 1931, the unemployment rate hit 15.8 percent. By 1933, the year FDR took office, it would reach 25 percent. Families were homeless and starving. Those who did work could not afford any sick time. The effects of nationwide poverty impacted all Americans.

(snip)

His successor, Harry Truman, took up the mantle immediately. In September he announced plans for the Fair Deal, which included “extending, expanding and improving our entire social security program.” Bills proposing a national health program were introduced to Congress, which by 1946 was Republican-led. They were a no-go. Subsequent attempts at “socialized medicine” were also denied, bolstered by Cold War fears of Communism.

(snip)

However, President Lyndon B. Johnson would sign Medicare into law on July 30, 1965. As the nation’s health insurance provider for Americans aged 65 and over, Medicare was also the first major step toward socialized health insurance. Since 1996, roughly seven in ten Americans have expressed a favorable view of the program.

(snip)


https://timeline.com/social-security-universal-health-care-efe875bbda93

[Judi Lynn]

1. Had never heard about this. Horrible.

Think how much better things would have been if the Republicans hadn't wrecked it.

Thank you for the info., Uncle Joe.

So good to finally learn about it, in spite of the attempts made to keep it buried.

[Uncle Joe]

2. Thank you Judi Lynn.