RONALD REAGAN SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SOCIALIZED MEDICINE

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Well, to be honest, in this 12" Long Playing Record Album, Reagan is not discussing the current health care bill, but rather the 1960 King-Anderson Medicare (for the aged) legislation (HR 222) that was pending in Congress.

This historic album represents Ronald Reagan's first entry into the political arena, and chronicles his very first speech on purely political matters.

Following his career in the movies, in 1952, Reagan became a spokesman for the General Electric Corporation, traveling the country giving speeches before business groups, chambers of commerce, etc., giving basically the same speech over and over again. During this time Reagan was able to hone his speech making abilities to a state of near perfection.

In 1960 the American Medical Association (AMA) was largely concerned with protecting the income of it's membership, and issued "recommended" fees that AMA members should charge for different medical services. This was of course to prevent members from "undercutting" one another, stifle free market competition, and keep prices at an artificially high level. I believe that this was a form of "price fixing" and may have been illegal, but was kept quiet by the membership.

The AMA had a long history of opposition to any government run health care legislation dating back to the early Truman proposals, feeling that the Government would be able to control the fees paid to Doctors. In 1961 they launched a massive campaign to defect the Medicare bill. One small part of there effort, was a secret operation called "Operation Coffeecup". The hinge pin of this "operation" was the Ronald Reagan LP Record being offered here.

Only three thousand copies of this album were pressed and were sent to select members of the AMA Auxiliary (wives of the Doctors). The wives were asked to invite groups of friends over for coffee, and were then instructed to make a brief comment about the Medicare Bill, before playing the Reagan album. The host was to provide pre-stamped envelopes and paper for their guests to use in writing letters of opposition to members of Congress.

A list providing the addresses of Congressmen and complete instructions are included with this album.

It was absolutely essential, for it's success, to keep this operation a secret, for it's intent was to make it appear, to members of Congress, that there was a "groundswell" of opposition to the Medicare Bill, coming from the general public.

Reagan, who had been a Democrat, was drafted by his father in law, a prominent member of the AMA, and one who knew well of Reagan's, sharply honed, speaking abilities.

The campaign to kill the bill was a success, and largely due to the efforts of the AMA, the King bill failed to pass in congress. However, the Democrats forged ahead and were able to pass a second version of the bill, a couple of years later, under the Johnson administration.

From the time (1961) that he made this record, Reagan seems to have taken the strong anti-socialism message to heart. In his first political speech before a audience, in support of Barry Goldwater in 1964, Reagan blasts the Government institutions of Social Security and Medicare. This speech was so strong, that Reagan gained an immediate following, and it is said by historians that this speech "launched his political career".

In his first run for the White House, in 1980, Reagan faced the incumbent Jimmy Carter. Carter had brought in former Social Security Commissioner Robert M. Ball as a consultant to the campaign. Ball was well aware of Reagan's anti socialism views and thought that this fact could be used to discredit Reagan, to the "over 60" group of voters, which historically had high turn out at the polls, and were the most ardent Reagan supporters.

During the sole televised debate, in a back and forth exchange, Carter brought up the subject of Social Security and Medicare, reiterating his support and it's importance to older people, then said "Governor Reagan, as a matter of fact, began his political career campaigning around this nation against Medicare".

In response to Carter, Reagan uttered what may well be one of his most famous lines. In a most calm and relaxed manner, he said "Well, there you go again", in which the audience exploded with laughter. Reagan, went on to deny that he was in opposition to either Medicare or Social Security.

Due to Reagan's eloquent responses, Carter's words seemed to slide off Reagan, like water off a Duck's back. It was largely due to this debate that the Press came up with the term "Teflon President".

Robert Ball, (consultant to Carter), was also aware of "Operation Coffeecup" and the record that Reagan had made for the AMA, back in 1961. He searched frantically for weeks, for a copy of the record, but came up empty-handed until the very last minute of the campaign and was finally able to play the record for reporters aboard Air Force One.

I acquired this record when my aunt (who was a member of the AMA Auxiliary) passed away last year. The gate-fold cover is in great condition, and three pages of original inserts are included. The LP itself appears to have been played very little and only has a very minor scuff mark or two.

More so, than any other record album that I am aware of, this one represents a true piece of American history, in addition to reflecting on the partisan debates that we now find our country in.

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