House Passes Medicare Bill

Apr. 8, 1965 - The House of Representatives approved today the biggest social welfare bill in history. It would provide a $6 billion package of hospital and medical benefits for the aged, the young, and the needy of all ages.

The roll call vote was 313-115. Joining the 248 Democrats who voted yes were 65 Republicans. 

The bill now goes to the Senate, where relatively quick approval is expected.

The health care benefits under the bill would become effective July 1, 1966. The bill also provides for increased social security benefits retroactive to Jan. 1, 1965.

President Johnson said it was a “landmark day in the historic evolution of our Social Security system” and voiced hope that the House vote would speed Senate action on “this monumental bill.” 

Rep. James Utt (R-Calif.) charged that the bill was a step toward socialized medicine. But Rep. Eugene Keough (D-N.Y.) said it was a step toward the Great Society. 

The omnibus measure reaches far beyond the original Social Security Act of 1935. It not only provides hospital benefits under social security and a medical insurance program for the aged, it also launches new and expands old welfare programs for the needy.

The major provisions:— Hospital benefits: A streamlined medicare program providing up to 60 days of in-hospital services for the aged under the Social Security program. The patient would pay the first $40 and the government would supply the rest

— Withholding taxes for medicare for both employers and employees would be hiked from a maximum of 0.35% to a maximum of 0.8%, and the wage base would be increased from $4,800 to $6,600 by 1970.

— After discharge from the hospital, the patient would be eligible for up to 20 days of extra care and more if the hospital stay is less than the maximum. Outpatient hospital diagnostic services are also covered. Up to 100 home care visits are also provided.

— Medical insurance: This is a voluntary program for the aged in which the patient would pay the first $50 of physician and surgeons’ fees, and a government-subsidized program would pay 80% of any additional costs. The subscriber would pay $3 a month.

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