Why did the United States forgo attempts to achieve universal health insurance in favor of focusing on insurance for the elderly and the poor in 1965?

Universal health insurance

Q1. Why did the United States forgo attempts to achieve universal health insurance in favor of focusing on insurance for the elderly and the poor in 1965? Do you think the U.S. needs to implement universal access to health care?

q2. Identify a major similarity as well as a major difference between Medicare and Medicaid? Which one do you think is better to be on – Medicare or Medicaid?