How did U.S. healthcare evolve into what it is today?

From failed early reform efforts to landmark programs like Medicare, the ACA, and pandemic-driven innovations — here’s a quick breakdown of key moments that shaped our healthcare system.

#HealthcareHistory #HealthReform #Medicare #ACA #Telehealth #PublicHealth

1. 1912–1965: Early Reform Efforts Fail

Early 20th-century leaders like Theodore and Franklin Roosevelt pushed for national health insurance, but faced strong opposition from private insurers, the American Medical Association, and political groups. As a result, healthcare remained largely private and employer-based for decades.

2. 1965: Medicare and Medicaid Created

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation creating Medicare for seniors and Medicaid for low-income individuals. These programs marked the first major federal involvement in U.S. healthcare and still serve as its foundation.

3. 1940s–1980s: Employer-Based Insurance Dominates

Employer-sponsored health insurance became widespread during and after WWII due to wage controls and government tax incentives. By the 1980s, it was the primary source of coverage, though it excluded many part-time, low-income, and self-employed individuals.

4. 2010: Affordable Care Act Passed

The Affordable Care Act expanded healthcare access through Medicaid expansion, insurance marketplaces, and consumer protections like banning coverage denials for pre-existing conditions. It significantly reduced the uninsured rate despite ongoing political debate.

5. 2020–Present: COVID-19 Drives New Reforms

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated healthcare reforms, especially through expanded telehealth and increased access to insurance. Emergency measures like enhanced subsidies and extended enrollment periods made healthcare more accessible and reshaped how care is delivered.

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ReImagine Healthcare

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Medicine has made great strides in diagnosing and treating conditions—after they appear. Medicine of the future will prevent these conditions.

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