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The 1972 Healthcare Act
The 1972 Healthcare Act

By 1972, the Kennedy Administration had twice attempted to pass a Healthcare act, and twice failed. The first truly significant failure of his term, the 1970 Healthcare Act had been defeated by a combination of filibustering Republicans and discontent southern Democrats. Such defeat was later described by Kennedy's aide Tim McMillan as:

"The wakeup call of our time in the White House. After a very succesfull year we finnaly faced the reality that a lot of people just wanted us to fail. The Republicans of course, but dixiecrats too. It was a big blow to the president, and forced him to tone down a lot of his positions."

The Affordable healthcare Proposal of 1971 was, in many ways, a more moderate version of the one in the previous year. By this time the Rift in the party had begun to heal. Many southern Democrats no longed fought the Administration, while others stood firm on their beliefs that the Bostonian did not represent their party. These would still fight many bills proposed by the President.

And so would the Republicans. Even with the more moderate GOP of 1971, the vast majority would refuse to support the democratic bill. The President was informed that, even after much deliberating and hand shaking and deal making, the Bill would almost certainly fail if attempted.

Instead of facing defeat for a second time in the matter, Kennedy postponed the Bill for the following year, and focused on battles he was more likely to win.

And so we arrive at the 1972 HealthCare Act. Whatever rifts remained within the Democratic Party, they were not enough to divide them on Healthcare any longer. And many moderate Republicans also presented a interest. With 53 senators (plus Independent democrat leaning Henry Byrd Jr.), the democrats had enough to pass the bill. The president was certain this was the moment to strike. There was only one little trouble. And that was the unending Filibuster brought about by multiple Republicans Senators. It made only sense they would do everything in their power to block such a bill in election year, and such a strategy would certainly have worked had it not been for the Cloture vote.

The 1972 cloture vote, passed by a united Democratic party plus 8 progressive republicans (who garnered the nickname the infamous 8 by fellow Republicans) woud lower the required number of votes for Cloture to 60 senators.

The "Infamous 8" would vote once again with the Democrats, and Harry Byrd, ensuring a 64-36 victory for the Cloture motion, putting a end to all discussion around the Heatlhcare Bill and calling a vote.

The Bill would subsequently pass, with 58 senators voting in favor, 36 against, and 8 abstentions. The victory of such a landmark Act would certainly have a hand in Kennedy's re-election in the same year. And it's impacts are still felt today, one just needs to look at the dozens of millions of americans ensured thanks to it.

History of Healthcare in North America, Bill Reynolds.
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Even though the story is arleady in late 1973, this is something that needed to be adressed a while ago. Hope everyone enjoys.
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