286, enacted July 30, 1965, was legislation in the United States whose most important provisions resulted in creation of two programs: Medicare and Medicaid.

Around 1915 the group American Association for Labor Legislation attempted to introduce a medical insurance bill to some state legislatures.

The concept of national health insurance began in the early 20th century in the United States and then came to prominence during the Truman administration following World War II.

The signing of the act, as part of Johnson's Great Society, began an era with a greater emphasis on public health issues.

The legislation was vigorously opposed by the American Medical Association until it had been enacted, but the AMA obtained concessions and later co-operated in its implementation.

The committee that Roosevelt appointed to study issues related to Social Security wanted to include health insurance in the bill.

Once the targeted age was decided, a lengthy debate began over presenting a coherent medical care bill to Congress.

The Conservative Coalition dominated the House Ways and Means Committee, which complicated attempts to pass social health programs.

Wilbur Mills (D-AR), the chair of the committee, later played a role in creating the health care program that was integrated into the Social Security Act.

With the election of Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964, Democrats controlled both the presidency and the Congress, claiming a 2:1 ratio to Republicans in the House and 32 more seats in the Senate.

Byrnes was a Republican committee member who proposed for doctors' services and drugs to be financed; participation in coverage would be voluntary for the aged.

Title XIX, which became known as Medicaid, provides for the states to finance health care for individuals who were at or close to the public assistance level with federal matching funds.

Johnson credited Truman with "planting the seeds of compassion and duty which have today flowered into care for the sick and serenity for the fearful."