Medicare, Medicaid, and LBJ's "Great Society"

At a recent town hall meeting, an attendee shouted "Keep the government's hand off my Medicare." This statement epitomizes the lack of understanding of the complex healthcare system in our country. More than 50 percent of healthcare in the U.S. is already provided and paid for by the federal government in partnership with the states. Medicare, Medicaid, Congressional health plans, and the Veterans Administration are all run and paid for by the government. In fact, these programs are well run. Seniors and other participants of these programs give them an ongoing vote of confidence.

The origin of the government's involvement in healthcare began when President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Medicare and Medicaid law on July 30, 1965 as part of his "Great Society" program. It's interesting to see that the arguments for and against Medicare are very similar to the arguments being used today to help defeat what's referred to as "ObamaCare."

Candidate Obama promised healthcare reform and that was a major reason that he was elected. Even today, polls indicate overwhelming support for government-guaranteed healthcare for all Americans. How was President Johnson able to get Medicare past the Congress, and why is President Obama having so much difficulty with Congress in creating affordable, preventive, and universal healthcare reform?

Another attempt to bring universal healthcare was initiated during the Clinton Administration, spearheaded by Hilary Clinton. Misinformation and negative campaigning by Republicans, similar to many of the arguments being used today, quickly spelled defeat for ClintonCare.

Assign students to investigate the similarities and differences of the arguments for and against Johnson's Medicare and ClintonCare with what students know about ObamaCare from the news. Students should write reports of at least 150 words or a presentation of at least two minutes and seven slides that cites at least four resources.

Students should address the following essential questions for critical thinking (teachers can add to or substitute others):

• What were the arguments for Medicare and Medicaid presented by President Johnson?
• How did the Republicans try to defeat Medicare and Medicaid legislation?
• What were the arguments for ClintonCare?
• What were the successful strategies used by Republicans to defeat it?
• How are the current arguments for and against healthcare reform similar to those used in the past?

Pathfinder 1—President Johnson: Select the Subject Search option > type "Medicare" in the Search box > click "Medicare" link > click "Insurance, Health" link.

Pathfinder 2—President Clinton: Click the 1990s icon > Clinton and the Republican Congress > "universal healthcare" link in the text.

Use our custom ProQuest models for written and PowerPoint-style reports.

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