President Obama’s move reminded many of another presidential action from decades ago. In July 1965, President Lyndon Johnson signed the bill that created Medicare. Medicare was meant to create a health-care safety net for elderly and disabled Americans. But a quiet provision of the new law required the racial desegregation of participating hospitals. 

Dr. Quentin Young talks more about that history and how it might apply to the gay-rights movement. He is a civil rights leader, a public health expert and former hospital administrator. And we’re proud to say, a former contributor to WBEZ.


Music Button:  Bill Frisell, “Lazy Robinson Pt. 2”, from the CD History Mystery, (Nonesuch)