Economics

OP-ED: Government Health Care Success: 49 Years of Medicare and Medicaid

Published

12 years ago

August 5, 2014

This week marks the 49th anniversary of two of the most important “big government” programs ever — Medicare and Medicaid.

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed these two critical health care programs into law. At the signing ceremony, LBJ handed the first two Medicare cards to former President Harry Truman, who had called for the program years before, and his wife, former first lady Bess Truman.

Contradicting the conservative fable that “big government” programs never work, Medicare has made the lives of millions of American senior citizens more secure and healthier. Medicaid has improved the lives of millions more poor Americans, by giving them access to health care at a fair price.

These programs are among the most important legislation passed during LBJ’s Great Society, and are so popular that Republicans spend every election cycle pretending that they really support expanding coverage, while spending a lot of their legislative time in the House and Senate trying to whittle down both programs.

Today is no different. Conservatives on the Supreme Court have just ruled that a key provision of the Affordable Care Act is invalid, putting an important national law in jeopardy — on a technicality! This law was argued and debated over two long, arduous years.

Everyone voiced their opinion, and still does. Lies were told about what “Obamacare” would supposedly do. Dire predictions of failure were made by conservative pundits — too few people would sign up; too few young people would sign up, it would kill millions of jobs.

None of that proved true. Poor and middle-class Americans have signed up for the Affordable Care Act at rates higher than expected, among them millions of the young.

No death panels have emerged, despite the predictions of Sarah Palin and Michele Bachmann. And the economy has continued to grow, despite right-wing attempts to obstruct progress.

Yet, far too many Republican governors and legislatures, especially across the South, continue to prevent the expansion of Medicaid to their own citizens. Medicaid expansion is a key part of the Affordable Care Act, an opportunity for millions of “near-poor” Americans to gain access to health care at a low cost.

Yet, despite demonstrated need, despite dire health problems, despite the negative impact this denial of Medicaid is having on both individual families and many existing hospitals, the fear of reprisals from tea party voters has made GOP governors afraid to help their own citizens.

So they block Medicaid expansion to their own people, even though the federal government will pay almost all the costs, and even though there is demonstrated need. This is just wrong.

In 22 states, many of them among our nation’s poorest states, Republican governors and state legislatures are refusing to expand Medicaid.

Almost half of those refusals come from the states that made up the old Confederacy (10 out of 11, with only Arkansas, headed by a Democratic governor, attempting to find an alternative solution to expansion).

Wisconsin and Maine and Alaska, along with another nine states across the Midwest and in the Upper Rockies, are also refusing to expand Medicaid — almost all of them headed by Republican governors. This is just wrong. Their constituents need access to health care, too.

As we mark the 49th anniversary of the signing of Medicare and Medicaid programs into law, we should consider that poor families today also need health care, just as seniors did in 1965, just as poor people did in 1965.

Medicare and Medicaid were two of the greatest accomplishments of President Johnson’s Great Society. If Republican governors would set aside their partisan hostility toward President Obama and the Affordable Care Act, they could ease the worries of millions of their constituents, and make their lives both healthier and more secure.

It’s the right thing to do. It’s the moral thing to do. The 49th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid this week reminds us that an expansion of Medicaid everywhere could help America be a better, healthier nation.

I call on the GOP to keep hope alive for all their constituents, even their less affluent constituents, and their minority constituents. I call on them to stop blocking access to Medicaid. It’s time to do the right thing, and end their partisan obstruction.

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The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of March 18 – 24, 2026

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2 weeks ago

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Advice

Women & Wealth: Tips for Navigating Your Lifelong Financial Journey

Published

3 weeks ago

March 15, 2026

Oakland Post

Sponsored by J.P. Morgan Wealth Management

We are in the midst of a seismic shift in wealth. This phenomenon, often referred to as the “Great Wealth Transfer,” describes the unprecedented movement of assets from the Baby Boomer generation to their heirs – an estimated $105 trillion by 2048. And women are poised to inherit most of this.

J.P. Morgan Wealth Management’s 2025 Investor Study found that women are not only set to receive significant wealth – they’re actively working to build it on their own. Ninety-three percent of women surveyed who are expecting an inheritance aren’t relying on it to reach their goals.

Here are a few tips for women to consider in their wealth-building journey:

Create a financial roadmap

A detailed, well thought out plan is important. J.P. Morgan’s study found that 90% of those surveyed with a plan feel confident about reaching their financial goals, compared to 49% without one.

Your plan should reflect your unique goals, priorities and circumstances. Consider your investment horizon and risk tolerance, and remember to revisit your plan regularly as life evolves.

Are you saving up for goals like buying a house, sending your kids off to college or retiring early? Where do you want to be in the next five, ten or twenty years? Everyone’s financial situation is unique, so it’s important to think about these questions and build a plan that is unique to your life.

Women tend to live longer than men on average. Many take career breaks or care for family members, which can influence long-term planning. It’s important to adjust your strategy with these factors in mind.

Where to start with investing

Don’t let misconceptions hold you back. Starting to invest doesn’t require a large sum, and beginning early can be beneficial. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to potentially grow over the years. Understand your overall financial situation, set clear goals and develop a long-term plan.

It’s important to also make sure you’re covered for unexpected expenses that come up before you start to invest. Build up a cash emergency fund, typically enough to cover three to six months of expenses, and pay down any high-interest debt.

Taking charge of your finances

The good news is that women are taking charge of their finances. J.P. Morgan’s research found that 75% of women respondents make financial decisions with their partner or take the lead themselves. For those who have a spouse or partner, it’s important for each person in the relationship to play an active role in the process.

Building wealth can be empowering for many women. The same survey found that 73% of women respondents said money gives them “security,” while 64% of Gen Z and Millennial women associated it with “freedom.”

The power of having a team

Some people find it helpful to work with a financial advisor, so you don’t have to tackle things alone. An advisor can help you craft a plan tailored to your needs and keep you on track throughout your lifelong financial journey. If you expect to receive an inheritance, you should also consult with estate planning and tax professionals.

No matter where you are on your wealth-building path, education is key. It’s so important to be an informed investor, and there are plenty of resources out there to help. You can find a library of free educational resources at chase.com/theknow.

As the landscape of wealth continues to evolve, women have a unique opportunity to shape their financial futures and those of generations to come. By staying informed and planning ahead, women have the tools to help them confidently navigate the Great Wealth Transfer and set themselves up for financial freedom.

The views, opinions, estimates and strategies expressed herein constitutes the author’s judgment based on current market conditions and are subject to change without notice, and may differ from those expressed by other areas of J.P. Morgan. This information in no way constitutes J.P. Morgan Research and should not be treated as such. You should carefully consider your needs and objectives before making any decisions. For additional guidance on how this information should be applied to your situation, you should consult your advisor.  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., its affiliates, and employees do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal and accounting advisors before engaging in any financial transaction.  