The Social Security Amendments of 1960: Completing the Foundation for Medicare and Medicaid

Abstract

The expansion of social security coverage enabled northern, industrial states to transfer a larger share of their Old Age Assistance (OAA) clients to the Social Security (OASDI) rolls at an earlier date than was possible in southern, agricultural states. Due to the differential rate of transferring clients, northern states could achieve a larger financial return from the establishment of Medicare while an increase in federal medical reimbursement for public assistance clients was more beneficial to southern jurisdictions. Although public opinion overwhelmingly supported the former option, partisan presidential politics and a split in the Democratic ranks enabled southern Democrats to thwart the will of the people by enacting legislation that significantly expanded federal contributions for the health care of indigent, elderly citizens. The evidence, therefore, indicates that regional differences in the share of elderly citizens receiving OASDI and OAA benefits contributed to the suppression of Medicare amendments. It is also evident that, in the absence of a presidential veto threat, southern opposition to Social Security health insurance would have been muted and Congress may gave enacted Medicare legislation in 1960 instead of 1965.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Congressional Index - 86^thCongress, 1959–1960 (1959). Chicago: Commerce Clearing House.

Congressional Index - 89^thCongress, 1965–1966 (1965). Chicago: Commerce Clearing House.

Congressional Quarterly Almanac (1960). 36:76–77, 148–164. Washington, D.C.: Author.

Congressional Weekly Report (1960). 18:(1):6–8, 18(29):-1236–1250. Washington, D.C. Congressional Quarterly.

“Mills in Medicaid” (1965). Dental Management (April):44–45. Social Security Act of 1935, Chapter 531, 49 Stat. 621.

“Mills in Medicaid” Amendments of 1939, Chapter 666, 53 Stat. 1361.

“Mills in Medicaid” of 1946, Chapter 951, 60 Stat. 991.

“Mills in Medicaid” of 1950, Chapter 809, 64 Stat. 548–558.

“Mills in Medicaid” of 1952, Chapter 945, 66 Stat. 778.

10.

“Mills in Medicaid” of 1954, Chapter 1206, 68 Stat. 1097.

11.

“Mills in Medicaid” of 1956, Chapter 836, 70 Stat. 846.

12.

“Mills in Medicaid” of 1958, Pub. L. No. 85–840, 72 Stat. 1047.

13.

“Mills in Medicaid” of 1960, Pub, L. No. 86–778, 94 Stat. 983.

14.

Steiner

Gilbert

(1966). Social Security: The Politics of Welfare. Chicago: Rand, McNally.

15.

U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census (1962). Statistical Abstract of the United States: 1962. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

16.

U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (1959). Social Security Bulletin 22(10–12). Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

17.

U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (1959). Social Security Bulletin 23(1–3). Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office.

18.

U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare (1960). Social Security Bulletin 23(4–9). Washington. D.C.: Government Printing Office.

19.

U.S. House of Representatives (1960). Congressional Record 106 (June 22) Part 10; (August 26) Part 13.

20.

U.S. Senate (1960). Congressional Record 106 (August 19) Part 13; (August 20); Part 13; (August 22): Part 13; (August 23, 26, 27): Part 13; (August 28): Part 14.