Oral history transcript, Thomas Francis "Mike" Gorman, interview 1 (I), 6/5/1985, by Clarence Lasby
Title:
Oral history transcript, Thomas Francis "Mike" Gorman, interview 1 (I), 6/5/1985, by Clarence Lasby
Number of Pages:
70
Description:
Biographical information; how Gorman got into journalism; how Gorman got involved in writing about conditions in mental hospitals; the Oklahoma State Mental Hospital; Gorman's work at the Daily Oklahoman; newspaper publisher, E.K. Gaylord's, political power; Karl Menninger's assistance in understanding mental healthcare issues; Mary Lasker's involvement in mental healthcare research and funding; Virgil Browne's role on the Oklahoma State Board of Public Affairs; the establishment of a mental health commission; writing the book Every Other Bed; Gorman's wife's work and his change to freelance writing; joining the National Committee Against Mental Illness under President Truman; finding support for national health insurance legislation; Gorman's work with Mary Lasker; Gorman's work as a speechwriter for Lister Hill, Adlai Stevenson, and other politicians; LBJ's early lack of interest in health issues; writing speeches for JFK on the issue of aging; Mary Lasker's work to establish an institute devoted to heart disease, cancer and stroke; JFK's lack of support for health issues; Abe Fortas' and Myer Feldman's work for LBJ; the President's Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke; the idea of regional National Institute of Health centers and Ed Dempsey's work on it; Oren Harris' work on health-related issues as chair of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce; medical school funding and problems in the medical school system; Mary Lasker's lobbying for medical research and reform; the argument for more clinical trials; Dr. James Shannon's work in the National Institutes of Health and his problems dealing with Mary Lasker; LBJ's split loyalty to education and health; Mary Lasker's background, personality, and relationship with her husband, Albert; matching formula legislation; the establishment of the National Eye Institute; cholesterol and hypertension-related medical studies; problems with using five-year cancer survival rates as a standard; the importance of effective political appointments.
