Sept. 3, 1964 - The Senate handed President Johnson a major victory today by voting to provide health insurance for the aged under Social Security. The vote was 49-44.
It marked the first time either body of Congress had endorsed any such proposal for medical care, although repeated attempts had been made over the last 15 years.
President Johnson immediately hailed the action as “a victory not only for older Americans but for all Americans.”
“The health of every citizen — old and young, rich and poor — is vital to our strength as a nation,” he said.
But the Administration is not yet over the hurdles. The proposal is expected to run into strong opposition in the House.
Only President Johnson’s success as a master persuader could possibly clear the way for the plan on medical care to become law, most Capitol observers believe.
Senator Barry Goldwater, the Republican nominee for President, flew back to Washington from Phoenix, Ariz., to vote against the proposal. He issued a statement describing the program for medical care as an insult to the intelligence of the American people.
In a statement, Goldwater said: “I face with deep foreboding the consequence of our embarking on this course.”
He criticized the passage of the plan as a “most significant step” toward making the Social Security system a relief and charity organization.
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