1956

Passage of amendments to Social Security Act establishing social security disability entitlement. Eisenhower opposed it, but LBJ maneuvered it out of committee and to a Senate vote: “the bill’s narrow passage forced the president to sign or veto a sweeping new law establishing benefits for disabled Americas. Political expediency prevailed.” Eisenhower signed the bill much to the AMA’s dismay. Law ushered in a new era in disability relief and altered the landscape of the nation’s pain politics (Wailoo II).