Jennifer Otten
HCS 310/Health Care Delivery in the US
April 12, 2010 Dr. Steven Clauser
Abstract
This paper is an overview about the evolution of the US health care system from the Great Depression to the current Health Reform Bill. I will give an understanding to Medicare and Medicaid program, which also will include a history of these two programs. Even though these two programs are a very complex in helping many poor, elderly, people with certain disabilities, and as well as low income pregnant women they are getting the care that they need as well as what they deserve.
Health Care System Evolution, Medicare/Medicaid
Without the introduction of Medicare/Medicaid in July 1965 there would be many problems in the United States today. We would probably have disease outbreaks, and a large population without any health cost coverage. I believe that many people would not go to see a doctor because the cost of private medical care would be too expensive. I also believe that if Medicare and Medicaid did not come into existence that there would be mast amount of death in this country.
Between the Great Depression through July 1965 health care had numerous debates in this country. In the 1930s a third-party payer health insurance was introduced including Blue Cross and Blue Shield and others to cover the cost of care in the event of illness or accidents. This only helped the people who could afford private insurance. The United States still was in need of helping the poor and uninsured. In the 1930s the Social Security Act supported public health care for just mothers and children. There was still a great demand to help all other uninsured people. After World War II the government supported and idea for public financed health insurance. In 1959 the Department of Health and Human Services helped in providing hospital insurance to Social Security
References: 1. Mandel MA, Ilanna (2009). Medicare & Medicaid Sociology of Health & Medicine. Research Starters Academic Topic Overviews. 2.Kulesher PhD, Robert (2005). Medicare—The Development of Publicly Financed Health Insurance. The Health Care Manager. Vol. 24, Number 4, pp 320-329. 3. The Kaiser Family Foundation, Health Care and the 2008 Elections, www.kff.org