Lyndon Johnson is a major figure in Social Security history -- probably the most important figure apart from Roosevelt. Under his presidency:
- Medicare was added to the Social Security Act. Social Security was responsible for the initial implementation of Medicare.
- Social Security was added to the unified federal budget setting the stage for the administrative funding problems that the agency has had in recent years.
- The definition of disability was changed in 1965 so that there is only a one year duration requirement. Previously, there had been essentially a requirement of permanency.
- The definition of disability was also changed in other ways quite unfavorable to claimants in 1967.
- The worker's compensation offset was added.
- Disabled widows benefits were added.
It does not matter what your political views are. You do not have to be a person who is ordinarily interested in history or biography. These books are a hell of a read.
1 comment:
"Social Security was added to the unified federal budget setting the stage for the administrative funding problems that the agency has had in recent years."
Guns and butter. Needed more money to keep the military industrial complex and welfare state a float. Set the example for getting us into the debt mess we are in today.
Post a Comment