Howard Markel blogs at PBS NEWSHOUR about President Harry Truman's "universal" national health care insurance program.
69 years ago, a president pitches his idea for national health care
Back in 1945 — a mere seven months into a presidency he inherited from Franklin D. Roosevelt — Truman proposed a “universal” national health insurance program. In his remarks to Congress, he declared, “Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health. Millions do not now have protection or security against the economic effects of sickness. The time ha arrived for action to help them attain that opportunity and that protection.” Read the full story here.
Release Date:
11/19/2014
Tags:
History