Jonas Chapter 9 and 10 Analysis

Chapter 9: History of Change from 1900 to 2010: Incrementalism, explained the timeline of healthcare to widespread and larger hospitals as well as health insurance coverage across the United States. There are several developments and acts that were put in place prior to the 19^th century that paved the way for new reforms. For example, the American Medical Association helped those that wanted to obtain their degree as a medical doctor. The Civil War also played a huge role in creating improvements in surgery and controlling infectious diseases. With the capacity and knowledge to improve the spread of infectious diseases and chronic diseases in place, the 20^th century became a century of new healthcare reforms and better access to improved healthcare.

One implementation put in place was employer-based health insurance, this covered a niche group and is still in effect and I currently have blue cross and blue shield as health insurance. This program is for non-military families that are employed. This created a gap in coverage, those that are not employed could not receive this as a plan, which led to expanding to acts like Medicare and Medicaid. For children, the Children’s health insurance program was for uninsured, moderate-income children. This does spark a question in my mind after reading chapter 9 that universal healthcare could be beneficial to the United States. Instead of several policies that cover certain criteria, wouldn’t it be best to create one policy that covers all like the NHI?

Chapter 10: History of Change from 1900 to 2010: Comprehensive Reform covers the difficulties of providing National Health Insurance which started with President Theodore Roosevelt in 1912. One con to this plan is the cost of course. NHI was examined seriously while the social security act was being considered and implemented. After congress agreed to pass Medicare and Medicaid, NHI was considered at the legislative level. The NHI was not passed once again because Carter’s administration never proposed NHI to congress. Bill Clinton tried to do a similar approach and enforce the Health Security Act that would have cost control, comprehensive benefits and universal coverage. This was controversial for the providers of medical and insurance groups because of the government regulating this. This outweighed the pros for this plan and it also was not passed.

Many policies have been proposed and failed, there are many reasons as to why these policies might have failed or were never implemented. One reason that may make NHI an impossible task for the United States is that we have spent too much on health care. Another issue with implementing NHI is the united stated healthcare system Is not at a lack of resources but are misusing these said resources. In conclusion, it has been difficult for administrations to implement National Health Insurance but have implemented an alternative that may help a niche group instead of nationally providing health care with no exceptions. After the Health security Act, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was enforced in 2010. This eased many dissatisfied health care providers and patients.

It is compelling that administrations have been trying to start National Healthcare and have failed for over a decade. It is upsetting to me that many people cannot affords coverage and many individuals are overlooked. I hope to see an effective National Healthcare put in place during my lifetime.