President Kennedy
Kennedy was dedicated to the passage of Medicare, a program that would provide government supported health insurance to the elderly.
In 1962, Kennedy promoted Medicare through a televised national address from Madison Square Garden. By turning the focus on health care on the elderly, the debate changed, as major grass root support from seniors forced the issue onto the national agenda.
President Kennedy Speaking at Madison Square Garden on the AMA's Opposition to Medicare, 1962
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President Kennedy Speaking at Madison Square Garden on Doctors' Attitudes toward Medicare, 1962
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In 1961, the AMA released a spoken-word album featuring Ronald Reagan, who at the time was an actor and conservative politician. Reagan spoke against government legislation that would lead to socialized medicine.
Ronald Reagan on Socialized Medicine:
Opposition won, and Medicare was defeated in 1963.