The Waring Historical Library is pleased to present the 2025 Joseph I. Waring Jr., Lecture featuring Jonathan Oberlander, PhD, Professor of Social Medicine and Professor of Health Policy & Management at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This year's lecture will feature an in-person watch party for this virtual lecture with Q &A to follow. Register below to join us in-person or online. 

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Medicare’s enactment in 1965.  Why did the United States adopt a separate federal insurance program for older Americans?  And why has Medicare’s development turned out very differently than its architects envisioned?  This talk will explore the origins of Medicare, it’s surprising journey over the past 6 decades from a model of national health insurance to a competitive market, and the enduring impacts of Medicare’s history on contemporary US health care policy.

The watch-party will be in BE110 from 12:00 to 1:00 on April 16th. A live Q & A will follow the lecture.

Boxed lunches will be provided for the first 50 participants to arrive along with snacks and water for everyone. You can also join us online by registering below.