What organization was the first to campaign for a national health insurance program in the US?
The aim was simple: That every American could share in the promise of quality health care.The groundwork was laid over nearly 100 years: Other administrations — from Presidents Truman to Nixon to Clinton — have tried and failed to immortalize this principal into American law. Show
Then, after nearly a century of work, an improbable piece of legislation with a lot of heart behind it ended its journey on the President's desk on March 23, 2010. Since then, health reform in America has been the law of the land and after more than five years under this law 16.4 million Americans have gained health coverage. 129 million people who could have otherwise been denied or faced discrimination now have access to coverage. Health care prices have risen at the slowest rate in nearly 50 years. And it will live on as a legacy achievement not just of this administration, but of all those who fought for it for so many years. Learn more about the details of President Obama's record on health care. View the Record A Letter to the President from Senator Ted KennedySenator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts, known fondly as the "Lion of the U.S. Senate," was a lifelong champion for health reform. He called it the cause of his life. As he endured brain cancer, he wrote this letter to the President, instructing his wife to send it after he passed away. This is what that letter said:  Share The Letter: After Health Reform: Your Day-to-Day LifeHealth reform has had a profound day-to-day impact on tens of millions of Americans – no matter where they are in their lives. But what does that actually look like? For millions of Americans, health reform has meant finally having access to the preventive services that will keep them — and their families — healthy for good. In the day-to-day, that means getting regular check ups and screenings. In the long run, it means safeguarding against chronic diseases like heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. (Learn about other preventive services here.) That's a big deal. Read more of the stories of Americans whose lives health reform has improved below.Meet The Covered PhotosDon K.Phoenix, AZ Deborah K.Los Angeles, CA Derrick B.San Francisco, CA Jeff R.Riverside, CA Jenna R.Sacramento, CA Kathy M.Kings Beach, CA Marjorie F.Glendale, CA Jackie B.Denver, CO Marla M.Fort Collins, CO Ann C.Westport, CT Donald L.Palm Coast, FL Amy W.Augusta, GA Naomi R.Roberta, GA Cait I.Council Bluffs, IA Susan T.Quincy, IL Arthur M.Mishawaka, IN Cody F.Carmel, IN April W.West Paducha, KY Keith C.Louisville, KY Lynnette J.Hyattsville, MD Jason T.Holland, MI Tyrona R.Saint Clair, MO Shannon K.Great Falls, MT Astrid M.Charlotte, NC Darlene W.Cary, NC Anthony C.Yorktown Heights, NY Katherine R.Portland, OR David H.Elkins Park, PA Regina M.Philadelphia, PA Durrain K.Round Rock, TX Lori S.Beaumont, TX Peter M.Austin, TX Ryan P.Austin, TX Don E.Fairfax, VA Karen M.Burien, WA Mavis C.Gilbert, WV Tricia T.Healthcare TimelineAug. 6 President Theodore Roosevelt campaigns on national insurance. Nov. 11 “There is also the problem of economic loss due to sickness—a very serious matter for many families with and without incomes, and therefore, an unfair burden upon the medical profession” 1943 Rep. John Dingell Sr. first introduces a bill for comprehensive health reform. Nov. 19 “Millions of our citizens do not now have a full measure of opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health. Millions do not now have
protection or security against the economic effects of sickness. The time has arrived for action to help them attain that opportunity and that protection.” Jan. 31 “Many of our fellow Americans cannot afford to pay the costs of medical care
when it is needed, and they are not protected by adequate health insurance. Too frequently the local hospitals, clinics, or nursing homes required for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease either do not exist or are badly out of date.” Feb. 9 “The health of our nation is a key to its future--to its economic vitality, to
the morale and efficiency of its citizens, to our success in achieving our own goals and demonstrating to others the benefits of a free society. Ill health and its harsh consequences are not confined to any state or region, to any race, age, or sex or to any occupation or economic level. This is a matter of national concern.” Jan. 7
“We can and we must strive now to assure the availability of and accessibility to the best health care for all Americans, regardless of age or geography or economic status.” July 30 President Johnson signs legislation creating the Medicare and Medicaid programs. 1971 Senator Ted Kennedy introduces the Health Security Act, calling for a national single-payer health care plan. Mar. 2 “Comprehensive health insurance is an idea whose time has come in
America. There has long been a need to assure every American financial access to high quality health care. As medical costs go up, that need grows more pressing. Now, for the first time, we have not just the need but the will to get this job done.” Dec. 9 “As long as I'm a vote and as long as I have a voice in the U.S. senate, it's going to be for the Democratic platform plan that provides decent quality health care north and
south, east and west, for all Americans as a matter of right and not of privilege.” Jan. 28 “We simply cannot afford this. The cost of health care
shows up not only in your family budget, but in the price of everything we buy and everything we sell. When health coverage for a fellow on the assembly line costs thousands of dollars, the cost goes into the product he makes. And you pay the bill.” Sept. 22 “At long last, after decades of false starts, we must make this our
most urgent priority, giving every American health security, health care that can never be taken away, health care that is always there.” July 15 “When the American people are on the march there is no barrier that can resist them, no obstacle that can block their path.” Read Senator Kennedy's DraftSept. 9 “I am not the first President to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last. It has now been nearly a century since Theodore Roosevelt first called for health care reform.
And ever since, nearly every President and Congress, whether Democrat or Republican, has attempted to meet this challenge in some way.” Read The President's SpeechJan. 27 “After nearly
a century of trying… we are closer than ever to bringing more security to the lives of so many Americans. The approach we've taken would protect every American from the worst practices of the insurance industry. It would give small businesses and uninsured Americans a chance to choose an affordable health care plan in a competitive market. It would require every insurance plan to cover preventive care.” Mar. 21 Congress passes its sweeping health reform bill and sends the legislation to the President for his signature. Mar. 23 “We have now just enshrined, as soon as I sign this bill, the core principle that everybody should have some basic security when it comes to their health care. And it is an extraordinary achievement that has happened because of all of you and all the advocates
all across the country.” June 10 Seniors see the first benefit of the Affordable Care Act as $250 rebate checks are sent. Watch the VideoJuly 1 Uninsured Americans with pre-existing conditions now have access to coverage through the Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP). Watch the VideoJan. 1 Medicare starts covering annual wellness visits and offering free preventive services. Watch the VideoDec. 14 Millions more Americans under 26 have gotten coverage through a parent’s plan since health reform went into effect. Watch the VideoAug. 1 Additional preventive care services for women are covered with no cost-sharing for new health plans. Watch the VideoJune 20 Consumers saved $5 billion thanks to the medical loss ratio rebate program created by the Affordable Care Act. Mar. President Obama goes “Between Two Ferns” to discuss the importance of getting covered. Watch the VideoMar. 31 The first open enrollment period closes, with millions of Americans having signed up for private insurance through the Marketplace and millions more newly covered through Medicaid. Read the NewsJuly 28 Independent Medicare Trustees confirm: the life of the Medicare Trust Fund has been extended to 2030 – 13 years longer than when the Affordable Care Act was passed. At the same time, Medicare Part B premiums remained flat for two years in a row – allowing seniors to keep more of their Social Security checks. Read the NewsDec. 3 New data confirms that health care spending growth continues at record low rates, in part thanks to the Affordable Care Act. Read the ReportFeb. 15 The second open enrollment period closes with the largest day of new enrollments yet and more than 10 million Americans enrolled in the Marketplaces. See the NumbersJune 25 The Supreme Court issues a 6-3 decision on King v. Burwell, upholding a key part of the Affordable Care Act. Read the NewsToday 16.4 million people have gained health insurance and the uninsured rate stands at the lowest level on record.
Share The History: What organization was the first to campaign for a national health insurance program in the United States?In 1906, the American Association of Labor Legislation (AALL) finally led the campaign for health insurance. They were a typical progressive group whose mandate was not to abolish capitalism but rather to reform it. In 1912, they created a committee on social welfare which held its first national conference in 1913.
Who was the first president to seek a national health insurance program?Harry Truman, who became President upon FDR's death in 1945, considered it his duty to perpetuate Roosevelt's legacy. In 1945, he became the first president to propose national health insurance legislation.
Who created the first national healthcare system?This is based on risk pooling. The social health insurance model is also referred to as the Bismarck Model, after Chancellor Otto von Bismarck, who introduced the first universal health care system in Germany in the 19th century.
When was universal health care first proposed in the United States?Subsequently, multiple proposals were introduced, starting in 1949 with President Harry S Truman who proposed universal health care; the proposal by Lyndon B.
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