only options Americans had to be covered for care was to purchase private insurance plans. The most vulnerable populations were unable to afford private plans and thus lacked access to medical coverage. These populations, similar to today, included the elderly, persons with disabilities, those who were self-employed, those who worked part-time jobs, and employees of small businesses (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 29). Talk of universal coverage existed, however was staunchly opposed by conservatives who did not believe free coverage should be given to those who were neither poor nor particularly needy (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 29). In 1950 the Social Security Act was amended so that federal funds could be provided to states to be used toward paying health care providers and cover medical care for welfare recipients (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 30). Because the responsibility was passed from the federal government to the states, the amendment received bi-partisan support. In 1960, President John F. Kennedy expanded this as the Kerr-Mills “welfare medicine program,” known Program, to cover the elderly as well as persons with disabilities (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 30). However, it that a Democratic President as well as a Democratic wasn’t until 1965 House took advantage of their window of opportunity to enact change. President Lyndon B. Johnson envisioned the creation of a where three initiatives became law: “Great Society” hospital insurance for the elderly (Medicare Part A), physician insurance for the elderly (Medicare Part B), and the expansion of the Kerr-Mills Program, which would become Medicaid (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 30). Medicaid is an entitlement program that is state-administered and provides health insurance to low-income state residents. States vary in terms of eligibility rules, benefits provided, as well as payment schedules. They are responsible for regulating policies; determining the type, amount, duration and scope of services; setting payment rates, and the
only options Americans had to be covered for care was to purchase private insurance plans. The most vulnerable populations were unable to afford private plans and thus lacked access to medical coverage. These populations, similar to today, included the elderly, persons with disabilities, those who were self-employed, those who worked part-time jobs, and employees of small businesses (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 29). Talk of universal coverage existed, however was staunchly opposed by conservatives who did not believe free coverage should be given to those who were neither poor nor particularly needy (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 29). In 1950 the Social Security Act was amended so that federal funds could be provided to states to be used toward paying health care providers and cover medical care for welfare recipients (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 30). Because the responsibility was passed from the federal government to the states, the amendment received bi-partisan support. In 1960, President John F. Kennedy expanded this “welfare medicine program,” known as the Kerr-Mills Program, to cover the elderly as well as persons with disabilities (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 30). However, it wasn’t until 1965 that a Democratic President as well as a Democratic House took advantage of their window of opportunity to enact change. President Lyndon B. Johnson envisioned the creation of a “Great Society” where three initiatives became law: hospital insurance for the elderly (Medicare Part A), physician insurance for the elderly (Medicare Part B), and the expansion of the Kerr-Mills Program, which would become Medicaid (Kovner & Knickman (Eds.), 2011, p. 30). Medicaid is an entitlement program that is state-administered and provides health insurance to low-income state residents. States vary in terms of eligibility rules, benefits provided, as well as payment schedules. They are responsible for regulating policies; determining the type, amount, duration and scope of services; setting payment rates, and the