Heatlhcare/History of Healthcare In America
The first health care system in America was developed in the 1880’s, and it was pay-for-service. People would pay out of their pocket to the doctor based on the type of service. (For example, $1 for a check-up, $5 for a house visit, ect.) This system remained until the 1920’s. In 1929, with the onset of the great depression, many hospitals were going broke. At Baylor Hospital in Dallas, they had a way to stay open. “The hospital would provide up to twenty days of care to any teacher willing to pay a monthly contribution of fifty cents, so as long as three-quarters of the systems teachers agreed.” (Cohn, 9.) This was the nation’s first health insurance. It covered teachers in the Dallas school system. It worked because the fifty cents from every teacher covered the costs of total care, plus extra to pay off debt.
After these single hospital insurance plans started becoming popular; multiple-hospital insurance systems started to rise. In 1934 there was a major insurance plan created. The “Blue Cross plan” was a plan where workers got insured from their employers. By 1938, 2.8 million people had signed up. By 1950, 20 million. This system was widely accepted, as by 1980 almost all of Americans working at major corporations were insured. It worked fairly well until companies could not afford to keep solid benefits for every employee.
In 1974, President Richard Nixon authorized HMO’s, or health maintenance organizations to be established. These organizations are basically middlemen in between patients and hospitals. The HMO’s authorize what procedures can and cannot be done for patients, and then the HMO’s pay for whatever procedures that are done. This system is created to maximize profit for the HMO’s. It has been used since 1974 until now.
There has recently been a health care bill passed that will reform the system. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (2010) tries to get as many people healthcare as possible. The new health care system will not be universal, just more affordable. It stops insurance companies from denying anybody who seeks and can afford health care. It will also set standards for who is covered under the government Medicaid system, extending it to many more then who have it now. It will cost around one trillion dollars in between 2010 and 2020.
Heatlhcare/History of Healthcare In America (Condensed)
Paying for treatment hasn’t been the same in America over the past one hundred years. Sick by Jonathon Cohn teaches that until the 1920’s all services were pay-per-service. (Page 6.) It also teaches that the first form of healthcare was at a single hospital, covering a single network of people. (Dallas School teachers) This system then became adapted by other hospitals and evolved to become a multiple hospital system. Then an insurance company, which provides health insurance through the employer, was created. It was called the blue cross and is still around today. The insurance through employers grew and it is still how most people get their health insurance. (Page 8-9.) We learned from Sicko, a film by Michael Moore, that in 1974 President Richard Nixon passed an act in 1973 to establish HMO’s Health Maintenance Organizations). These organizations are for profit, and play the middle-man between hospitals and patients. They approve (agree to pay for) and deny procedures/treatment. These company’s have been used ever since 1973.
According to Landmark, a book written by the staff of the Washington Post, there has recently been a health care bill passed that will reform the system. It is attempting to make healthcare available to anybody who wants it. (67) The major changes will take place between 2010 and 2020. (68-69) It’s main purpose to extend healthcare to the people who cannot afford it right now.
Being Sick
Being sick can be a tough time for anybody. In America there is two basic ways to get treated. Allopathically and homeopathically. Allopathically is the more “traditional” type of medicine. Antibiotics, over-the-counter drugs, and going to the doctor. Homeopathic medicine is more “Alternative”. It can include things like acupuncture, drinking soups and teas, and massage. It is a more natural way of healing. Based off of personal experience, I would say allopathic medicine is more efficient and effective, but trying to let my body fight disease on it’s own is preferred. There will be people defending both sides, but the allopathic medicine will carry the majority of supporters. This in part is due to the fact that people listen to scientists and doctors, and doctors usually support allopathic medicine.
The Process of Dying
Dying in America is usually done hospitals. A movie called Near-Death illustrates this dying, showing raw footage of doctors interacting with patients, discussing how to deal with patients, and handling their deaths. It shows that dying is emotional for families and that doctors try to stay as emotionally detached as possible. But it isn’t like that for everybody that is dying. In our Class we had a guest speaker who recounted the death of her husband for us. She explained how she made a home death for her husband, and how it may not have pleasurable, it was a more emotional and intimate then it would have been in a hospital. Dying in America can happen in many was, and some can be more pleasurable the others.
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