I'm a Norwegian who once lived in the US for a period of time. I have battled the healthcare systems both in the US and in my own country. I have also been following the US healthcare debate, and I find the resistance among many Americans to public health care/socialized medicine simply astonishing. Regardless of the flaws and challenges one will find in many socialized systems, anything but a system where government guarantees true universal healthcare seems unconscionable to me.
I have also watched many strange interviews with American conservatives arguing against universal healthcare or any progressive government reform by using vague and pompous warnings against the evils of Socialism.
Among my favorites is Sarah Palin, of course. I find it incomprehensible and yet highly fascinating that this lady has enjoyed so much support. Last year, when she quoted from Ronald Regan's dramatic speech against Medicare and used it as a general descpription of how Socialism and Communism were threatening the lives of free Americans, it only added to my fascination.
I mention this because I was browsing through some old Norwegian newspapers yesterday, and I found an interesting note in Norway's largest daily, the conservative Aftenposten, from July 1, 1966, on the coming into force of the Medicare program. (Oddly, Wikipedia states that Medicare came into force on July 30, 1965. I don't know the reason for this discrepancy).
Aftenposten, July 1, 1966.
Roughly translated, the article says:
Medicare law comes into force in the USA. Program does not apply to children.
Washington, July 1. (NTB-Reuter)
As of today, US pensioners over the age of 65 will have expenses covered for the first 60 days of care at hospitals and nursing homes under the so-called Medicare program. The bill was subject to major controversy for 20 years before it was passed by an overwhelming majority in the US Congress.
In the event of an extended stay, pensioners will have the first 30 days covered by government funds. For a fee of $3.00 pr. day, Medicare will also cover medical bills.
A provision in the Medicare law denies communists certain benefits. This provision is founded on a ten-year-old law which is intended to keep communist organizations from benefiting from tax-payers’ money. The American Medical Association (AMA) fought fervently against Medicare, but the association has now encouraged medical professionals to cooperate with the government over the program.
According to reports, President Johnson also plans to introduce a bill which will expand Social Security legislation to include children.
Really? The healthcare provided to Americans under the Medicare program was conditioned upon the patient's political orientation? How long were such provisions in force? I'd be interested in knowing more about this.