The Boston Globe   A century of health care reform efforts
1915: American Association for Labor Legislation releases
proposal to insure low-income workers and their families.
Special interests and fear of socialism kill the plan.  1945:
President Truman delivers message to Congress calling for
compulsory, single-payer health care program. A bill
incorporating Truman’s suggestions dies in the Senate the
following year.  Continue reading below  1958: Congress begins
hearings on health insurance for the elderly.  1960: Congress
rejects the Forand Bill, a proposal to provide a limited package
of health benefits to the elderly.  Continue reading below
1961: President Kennedy reintroduces Medicare; the bill dies in
committee.  1965: Medicare and Medicaid passed by Congress and
signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson.  1971: President
Nixon proposes National Health Insurance Partners program, which
would have required employers to provide insurance for all full-
time workers. The proposal never gets a vote i