Health coverage proposals \ A history

Health coverage proposals \ A history

A look at the history of major health coverage initiatives by presidents:

1950: Harry Truman’s proposal for national health insurance dies in Congress.

1965: Lyndon Johnson wins passage of Medicare and Medicaid.

1974: Richard Nixon’s proposal to require employers to cover workers dies in Congress.

1979: Jimmy Carter’s proposal for an employer requirement dies in Congress.

1994: Bill Clinton’s plan, which includes an employer requirement, dies in Congress.

1997: Clinton and a Republican Congress agree to expand coverage for low-income children.

2003: George W. Bush wins passage of Medicare prescription benefit.

2009: Barack Obama proposes to cover the uninsured and contain costs.

Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation, Associated Press