THE
FIRST PRESIDENT TO ENDORSE NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE,
HARRY TRUMAN CHARGES THAT THE “PROGRAM HAS POWERFUL ENEMIES
WHO ARE NOT ABOVE MISREPRESENTING ITS AIM AND PURPOSE,”
BUT
“I AM CONVINCED THAT WE MUST CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD
IN PROMOTING THE PRINCIPLES OF NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE...
TO MEET THE DANGEROUS LACK OF ADEQUATE MEDICAL CARE
AMONG A LARGE PROPORTION OF OUR POPULATION”
HARRY S. TRUMAN. Typed Letter Signed as President,
Washington, DC, 31 January 1951. 1 page, 10½” x 7¾”,
on White House stationery.
The first President to call for national health insurance writes to
a supporter about his proposal.
On November 19, 1945, in a special message to Congress, Harry Truman
called for a program of national health insurance, making him the first
President to publicly recommend such a plan. He continued to endorse
the idea in several State of the Union messages, in his 1948 re-election
campaign, and as part of his Fair Deal program of domestic reforms.
Truman writes here to a supporter of national health insurance, alluding
to several obstacles hindering Congressional approval of the program
but affirming his own belief in it.
“I hope you do not think that my failure to make earlier acknowledgment
of your thoughtful letter re national health insurance indicates any
lack of appreciation on my part,” Truman opens. “As
you can readily understand, we are all working under an unusually heavy
pressure here these days and even important matters have to wait their
turn.
“I am more grateful than I can tell you for this assurance
of your continued loyal support of the national health insurance program.
As you so frankly indicate, that program has powerful enemies who are
not above misrepresenting its aim and purpose, in fact its fundamental
principle.
“Despite all obstacles it has been my observation that in
the nearly two years since we met to discuss the program, understanding
and appreciation of its merits have shown steady increase. I, too, believe
that its further development is inevitable,” Truman insists.
“There
is no doubt but that legislation to meet the present national emergency
must necessarily take precedence in national consideration at this time.
Nevertheless, I am convinced that we must continue to move forward in
promoting the principles of national health insurance and of other health
measures proposed by the administration to meet the dangerous lack of
adequate medical care among a large proportion of our population. Certainly
the need for more doctors is very real. It is in fact vital at this
time.
“I desire, therefore, to assure you once more of my continued
appreciation of your support of the health program. Your letter was
very heartening.” He has signed, “Harry S Truman.”
Initially, a conservative Congress and hostility from the American Medical
Association were the main barriers to passage of national health insurance
legislation. But by 1951, the Cold War was undermining virtually all
of Truman’s domestic reform agenda. Communists had taken over
China; the Soviet Union had developed an atomic weapon; and the Korean
War had broken out. An anti-communist crusade at home not only diverted
attention from domestic reforms, but allowed foes of national health
insurance to attack it as a form of “socialized medicine”.
Despite his expression of support in this letter, Truman was forced
to abandon his efforts to get national health insurance through Congress
at about this time.
However, Truman’s proposal had publicized the issue of health
care, and it helped pave the way for later federal action. When Medicare,
providing national health insurance for the aged, was adopted in 1965,
President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill into law at the Truman Library
in Independence, Missouri, with Harry Truman present for the ceremony,
as a tribute to his pioneering work for such legislation. Not long afterwards,
Johnson presented Harry and Bess Truman with Medicare cards number one
and two.
The letter has some toning, matburn, and occasional spotting, all due
to prior framing. However, it has been professionally deacidified, and
is now in good, sound condition.
Letters by Truman on the issue of national health care are quite scarce.
$3000.00
Please
note that this image omits some of the outer blank margin of the letter.
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