July: A Month of Civil Rights Milestones in Health Care and Disability

July stands as a remarkable month in American history, marking the anniversaries of three transformative pieces of legislation that fundamentally changed how our nation approaches health care, aging, and disability rights. These interconnected milestones reveal a decades-long commitment to expanding access, dignity, and independence for all Americans.

Medicare and Medicaid: Sixty Years of Promise

On July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965 into law at the Truman Presidential Library, creating both Medicare and Medicaid. In a symbolic gesture honoring former President Harry Truman—who tried but failed to pass low-cost medical care for older adults—President Johnson presented the first two Medicare cards in the nation to the former President and his wife Bess Truman.

“Through this new law, Mr. President, every citizen will be able, in his productive years when he's earning, to insure himself against the ravages of illness in his old age. This insurance will help pay for care in hospitals, in skilled nursing homes or in the home. And under a separate plan, it will help meet the fees of the doctors,” President Johnson declared. His words proved prophetic—for six decades, these programs have served as the bedrock of American health care, providing essential coverage for older adults, low-income families, and people with disabilities.

In California, where Medicaid operates as Medi-Cal, the program has become particularly vital given the state’s high cost of living for people on fixed incomes. Today, Medi-Cal serves over 15 million Californians, bridging the gap between survival and stability for working families. For older adults especially, Medi-Cal provides what Medicare cannot—long-term care services that enable aging in place rather than premature nursing home placement.

The program’s impact extends far beyond individual beneficiaries. Medicaid serves as the largest payer of long-term care in the United States, covering 69% of home care through the program. As 10,000 people turn age 65 daily, these services become increasingly critical infrastructure for maintaining dignity and quality of life.

The ADA: Tearing Down Walls of Exclusion

Twenty-five years later, another July milestone transformed American society. On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law, declaring, “Let the shameful wall of exclusion finally come tumbling down.”

Justin Dart, known as one of the fathers of the ADA, called it “the world's first declaration of equality for people with disabilities by any nation.” The ADA represented more than legal protection—it embodied a fundamental shift in how society views disability, from a medical problem to be managed to a civil rights issue demanding equal access and opportunity.

The connection between the ADA and health care programs like Medicaid runs deep. People with disabilities rely heavily on Medicaid for essential services that enable independent living.

An Interconnected Legacy

These July anniversaries remind us that health care access, disability rights, and aging support are interconnected aspects of a just society. The programs and protections established in these landmark laws work together to support vulnerable populations throughout their lives.

Today, as we face an aging population living longer than when Medicare and Medicaid were first signed, these programs remain vital. The growing number of older adults experiencing homelessness—people aged 50 and older now represent half of the homeless population—and the increasing prevalence of chronic conditions like Alzheimer's disease underscore the continued relevance of these July milestones.

As we commemorate these anniversaries, we must remember that they represent more than historical achievements—they reflect ongoing commitments to human dignity and equal opportunity that we must defend and fight for. The legacy of these July milestones continues to shape California’s approach to aging, disability, and health care, ensuring that the promise of independence and inclusion remains available to future generations.

References:

Alzheimer’s Association. (2025). 2025 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimer's & Dementia, 21(4): e70235. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70235 

Bush, G. H. W. (1990, July 26). Remarks by the President during ceremony for the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. National Archives. https://www.archives.gov/research/americans-with-disabilities/transcriptions/naid-6037492-remarks-by-the-president-during-ceremony-for-the-signing-of-the-americans-with-disabilities-act-of-1990.html

California Health Care Foundation. (2024, June 12). Medi-Cal facts and figures almanac — 2024 edition. https://www.chcf.org/resource/medi-cal-facts-figures-almanac/

Center for Disability Rights. (n.d.). A short history of Justin Dart Jr., father of the ADA. https://cdrnys.org/blog/advocacy/a-short-history-of-justin-dart-jr-father-of-the-ada/

Johnson, L. B. (1965, July 30). Remarks with President Truman at the signing in Independence of the Medicare bill. The American Presidency Project. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/remarks-with-president-truman-the-signing-independence-the-medicare-bill