MEDIA KIT
This Medicare60 Media Kit offers public domain resources archived at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library & Museum.
July 30, 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the signing of Medicare and Medicaid—a key milestone in American life and public health. President Johnson signed this critical legislation at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri, with President and Mrs. Truman seated at his side. It was a nod to Truman’s fight for national healthcare. Although unsuccessful during his presidency, Truman created the blueprint for legislation in 1965. It’s a living legacy currently enjoyed by every American.
To request additional access or to schedule interviews with Truman historians and/or Clifton Truman Daniel, the president’s eldest grandson, please contact:
Dean Davison, Media Consultant
816.787.2886 | Dean@DavisonStrategicComms.com
Medicare60 Fact Sheet
Click below for fast Medicare facts, from Truman’s fight for national healthcare (1945-1952) to signing Medicare into law (1965) to the lasting impact today.
Medicare60 Photo Album
Courtesy of the Truman Library and LBJ Library, this collection of public domain photos includes President Johnson’s arrival in Kansas City, the Medicare signing ceremony at the Truman Library, and President Johnson’s return visit on January 20, 1966, to present Harry and Bess Truman with Medicare cards #1 and #2.
Download options, photo descriptions and credits (where applicable) accompany each image.
3:30 SILENT B-ROLL
11 minutes of raw film from the Truman Presidential Library archives with President Johnson and President Truman on the signing of the Medicare and Medicaid bill in July 1965 and the follow up visit in January 1966 to deliver Medicare cards #1 and #2 to Harry and Bess Truman in Independence.
SILENT NEWS FOOTAGE – MEDICARE SIGNING CEREMONY
Item #MP2017-4 (6:57)
This silent television news coverage from KFEQ-TV in St. Joseph, Missouri, shows President Lyndon B. Johnson, First Lady Lady Bird Johnson, and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey visiting the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, in order to sign the Medicare Bill in the presence of former president Harry S. Truman and former first lady Bess Truman, July 30, 1965. Upon signing, President Johnson distributes pens to Bess Truman, Senator Mike Mansfield of Montana, White House Special Assistant Larry O’Brien, and others. One his way out of the Truman Library, Missouri Governor Warren Hearnes signs autographs for the assembled crowd. Presidents Johnson and Truman leave the library together and get into his limousine. First ladies Bess Truman and Lady Bird Johnson also ride with the presidents.
Please Note: This footage was donated by Alan Nesbitt, KFEQ-TV, St. Joseph, Missouri. The restrictions upon it are unknown. Potential users may need to check with KFEQ-TV for permission. Please credit: KFEQ-TV, courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Library
HISTORIC FOOTAGE – PRESENTATION OF MEDICARE CARDS
Item #MP76-5 Reel 4 of 4
(Medicare clip begins at 19:37)
This film shows a ceremony establishing the Harry S. Truman Center for Advancement of Peace, to be situated on the campus of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. In addition to the formal purpose of the ceremony, President Johnson also took this opportunity to present Medicare cards numbered 1 and 2 to Mr. and Mrs. Truman. The ceremony took place at the Harry S. Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, on January 20, 1966. David Noyes serves as master of ceremonies, and speakers on this reel are as follows: Chief Justice Warren; former president Truman, who briefly introduced President Johnson; President Johnson, who called Mr. Truman “the real daddy of Medicare;” and President of the Ministers Alliance, Rev. Shrum Burton.
PLEASE NOTE: This copyrighted footage was produced by Louis Studna Films of Kansas City. It is posted here with permission of the copyright holder. Please seek permission from the copyright holder before using. Contact the audiovisual archives at Truman.Reference@nara.gov for more information. This film is part of the Motion Picture series at the Truman Library.
TRUMAN ON MEDICARE
Item #MP76-105
President Truman speaks on Medicare (60 second TV spot) with short shots of President Lyndon B. Johnson signing the Medicare bill and presenting Medicare cards to Harry S. Truman at the Truman Library.
This film is a public service announcement by Social Security and is in the public domain. Please credit: Social Security, courtesy of the Harry S. Truman Library
Media Contact
To request additional resources or to schedule interviews with Truman historians and/or Clifton Truman Daniel, the president’s eldest grandson, please contact:
Dean Davison, Media Consultant
816.787.2886 | Dean@DavisonStrategicComms.com