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Medicare: Who Said That? The Answer Sheet

Here are the details regarding not only who said what about Medicare, but when and in what context:

1. Ronald Reagan Speaks Out Against Socialized Medicine; the American Medical Association’s Operation Coffee Cup Campaign, 1961 

2. Lyndon B. Johnson, remarks before the 50th Anniversary Convention of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers in New York City, May 9, 1964

3. William J. Clinton, remarks announcing his Medicare modernization plan, June 29, 1999

4. Richard M. Nixon, special message to the Congress on older Americans, March 23, 1972

5. Barack Obama, Des Moines Register Democratic Presidential Debate, CNN Transcript, Dec. 13, 2007

6. Ron Paul, Texas Straight Talk Weekly Address, Nov. 8, 2010

7. Richard Nixon, special message to the Congress on older Americans, March 23, 1972

8. Gerald Ford, special message to the Congress on older Americans, Feb. 9, 1976

9. Jimmy Carter, signing of the Medicare – Medicaid Anti-Fraud And Abuse Amendments, Oct. 25, 1977

10. Ronald Reagan, message to Congress transmitting proposed health care incentives reform legislation, Feb. 28, 1983

11. George W. Bush, President calls on Congress to complete work on Medicare bill, Oct. 29, 2003

12. Sen. John McCain, interviewed by Jackie Judd for KFF Health ’08.org, Oct. 31, 2007 

13. President Barack Obama, Weekly Address, June 12, 2010 

14. George W. Bush, signing of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, Feb. 8, 2006

15. Rick Perry, Texas governor and 2012 GOP presidential candidate, Newsweek interview, Aug. 12, 2011 

Source (except where otherwise noted): Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services History Project: President’s Speeches.

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