JFK'S MEDICAL CARE FOR THE AGED

AMA OPPOSED JFK'S MEDICAL CARE PROPOSALS 52 YEARS AGO

New York City (JFK+50) Fifty-two years ago today, May 21, 1962, the American Medical Association, meeting at Madison Square Garden here in New York, came out in opposition to President John F. Kennedy's proposed medical care reforms.

The President spoke to a crowd of 20,000 gathered at the Garden the previous day in support of his proposed reforms.  The President's Program of Medical Care for the Aged, which would have helped senior citizens pay their hospital bills, was to be funded, in part, by employee social security deductions.

President Kennedy had attempted to address the concerns about his program. JFK said...

"We do not cover doctors' bills...we do not affect the freedom of choice.  You can go to any doctor you want (but)...we (do) talk about his hospital bill.

This bill serves the public interest.  It involves the Government because it involves the public welfare."

JFK spoke about his father, Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr. who had suffered a major stroke in December 1961...

"I visited...the hospital where doctors labor for a long time...to visit my father.  It isn't easy.  He can pay his bills but otherwise I would be and I am not as well off as he is."

The President made clear that under the system in place in 1962, many Americans would have to bear the full burden of hospital bills run up by their elderly parents by either drawing from their own savings or through borrowing money. 

Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt wrote....

"The AMA opposes this plan because everything that is different seems to these stand-pat gentlemen a step toward what they apparently dread more than anything....socialized medicine."

SOURCE

"John F. Kennedy's Address at a New York Rally in Support of the President's Program of Medical Care for the Aged, May 20, 1962," The American Presidency Project, www.presidency.ucsb.edu/

AMA's Code of Ethics

JFK RESOLVED A FAILURE

REPUBLICANS RESOLVED JFK WAS "PRETTY MUCH OF A FAILURE" 51 YEARS AGO

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference 51 years ago today, July 17, 1963, held at the State Department here in the Nation's Capital, President John F. Kennedy was reminded that during the 1960 campaign he had said it was "time for America to get moving" again.

The reporter asked if the President thought America was moving and "if so, how and where?"

Before JFK responded, the newsman added...

"The reason I ask you the question, Mr. President, is that the Republican National Committee recently adopted a resolution saying you were pretty much a failure."

The President, with his characteristic wry wit, answered...

"I am sure it was passed unanimously."

JFK at Press Conference

JFK Library Image

With reporters still chuckling, JFK pointed with pride to an increase in Gross National Product of almost $90 million and a 25% increase in business profits.

He also said there had been a 10% increase in farm profits during his tenure as president.

President Kennedy added...

"The only thing is that the United States has to move very fast to stand still.  We are going to have to find in the next decade 22 million jobs to take care of those coming into the labor market."

JFK concluded, however, that the nation had made "substantial progress" and that that the evaluation of that would come in the 1964 election.

SENATE DEFEATED MEDICARE 52 YEARS AGO 

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) President John F. Kennedy expressed disappointment 52 years ago today, July 17, 1962, when he learned the United States Senate had narrowly defeated the King-Anderson Medicare Bill which he supported.

The President vowed to continue the fight by taking the issue to the voters in the fall midterm elections.

The American Medical Association lobbied against the bill.

JFK said that he hoped the people would...

"restore a Congress that will support....Medical Care for the Aged."*

 LBJ Signs Medicare Bill

LBJ Library Photo

July 30, 1965

JFK SAYS NORMAL RELATIONS WITH CUBA IMPOSSIBLE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) At his news conference of July 17, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was asked if he saw Fidel Castro seeking a "more relaxed relationship" with the United States.

The President responded by saying that normal relations with Cuba were "impossible" as long as the nation remained a satellite state of the USSR.


JFK ARRIVES AT LOGAN TO A BIG CROWD

Boston, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Senator John F. Kennedy arrived at Logan Airport here in Boston 54 years ago today, July 17, 1960,  fresh off receiving the 1960 Democratic nomination for President of the United States in Los Angeles. 

The Senator, who was greeted by 13,000 supporters,was accompanied by family members as well as campaign workers.


POTSDAM CONFERENCE BEGAN 69 YEARS AGO 

Potsdam, Germany (JFK+50) Allied representatives arrived here in Potsdam 69 years ago today, July 17, 1945, to begin discussions on the situation in Europe when World War II came to an end. 

The "Big Three" representing their respective nations included...

President Harry S Truman, USA
Prime Minister Winston Churchill, UK
Premier Joseph Stalin, USSR

The conference began with an aura of suspicion as each of the Allied nations representatives had their own interests at heart.

Issues to be discussed included the postwar border of Poland, occupation of Austria and war reparations.

Churchill-Truman-Stalin

Potsdam, Germany

APOLLO AND SOYUZ LINK UP IN SPACE

Houston, Texas (JFK+50) NASA reported 39 years ago today, July 17, 1975, that US spacecraft Apollo 18 had successfully docked with the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz 19.

The historic moment came when the hatches of both spacecraft were opened and Commanders Thomas Safford and Aleksei Lzonov shook hands and exchanged gifts.

The two spacecraft would remain together for 44 hours during which time experiments were conducted and the astronauts and cosmonauts would share meals.

Historic Handshake in Space

July 17, 1975

NASA Photo