Flashback: Republicans Opposed Medicare In 1960s By Warning Of Rationing, ‘Socialized Medicine’

[steve2470]

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2009/07/29/170887/medicare-44/

BY IGOR VOLSKY ON JULY 29, 2009 AT 1:12 PM

Tomorrow is the the 44th anniversary of Medicare, a government-sponsored health care program that provides health coverage to virtually all of the nation’s elderly and a large share of people with disabilities. While Medicare is not without its problems, it has dramatically improved access to health care, allowed seniors to live longer and healthier lives, contributed to the desegregation of southern hospitals, and has become one of the most popular government programs.

At the time, conservatives strongly opposed Medicare, warning that a government-run program would lead to socialism in America:

Ronald Reagan: “f you don’t [stop Medicare] and I don’t do it, one of these days you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it once was like in America when men were free.” [1961]

George H.W. Bush: Described Medicare in 1964 as “socialized medicine.” [1964]

Barry Goldwater: “Having given our pensioners their medical care in kind, why not food baskets, why not public housing accommodations, why not vacation resorts, why not a ration of cigarettes for those who smoke and of beer for those who drink.” [1964]

Bob Dole: In 1996, while running for the Presidency, Dole openly bragged that he was one of 12 House members who voted against creating Medicare in 1965. “I was there, fighting the fight, voting against Medicare . . . because we knew it wouldn’t work in 1965.

*more insanity at link*

eta: added author and date and time, old article

[Ron Green]

1. I think Reagan's participation in "Operation Coffee Cup"

may have been his first foray into national politics.

[steve2470]

2. On the road to Medicare for All, this is the BS mentality we're dealing with

Boggles the mind.

[steve2470]

3. kick to remind people

THIS...is why getting single payer is so freaking difficult. We have to coexist with this mentality, for now.