The document summarizes major health care milestones in the United States since Theodore Roosevelt first advocated for universal health care in 1912. Some key events include the first organized health insurance program in 1929, President Truman calling for universal coverage in 1945, Medicare and Medicaid being signed into law by President Johnson in 1965, President Nixon advocating for minimum insurance for all in 1971, and the Affordable Care Act being signed by President Obama in 2010.

1. 
Health Care Milestones
NRSE 6010
 It may seem like discussions of health care reform have
been a recent phenomenon, but health care has been a
topic of conversation in the United States for decades.
 The first President to address universal health care for
the United States was Theodore Roosevelt. Universal
health care (and women’s suffrage) were part of his
platform in 1912. Following is a quick chronology of
health care milestones since Roosevelt.is a quick chronology
of health care milestones since Roosevelt.

2. 1929
 Baylor Hospital in Dallas provides prepaid health
care for local teachers and is considered the first
organized health insurance program in the U.S.

3. 1931
 First health maintenance organization plan is
created in Oklahoma

4. 1934
 National health insurance is discussed in Congress

5. 1945
 President Truman wants health care overhauled
with compulsory coverage and an increased
number of physicians and nurses; AMA calls it
“socialized medicine.”

6. 1948
 Following World War II countries signed Article 25
of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which
included access to health care for all. The US did
not sign Article 25.
1. Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health
and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing,
housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to
security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood,
old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.
2. Motherhood and childhood are entitled to special care and assistance.
All children, whether born in or out of wedlock, shall enjoy the same
social protection.

7. 1949
 Health care benefits can be included in collective
bargaining agreements

8. 1954
 Health care insurance is exempt from taxes

9. 1965
 President Johnson signs legislation that creates
Medicare and Medicaid

10. 1971
 President Nixon wants a minimum level of
insurance for all
 Senator Edward Kennedy works to develop
universal single-payer health care plan

11. 1974
 Large corporations with self-insured plans exempt
from state regulations

12. 1976
 President Carter advocates for universal and
mandatory coverage of health care

13. 1986
 Legislation requiring hospitals to screen and
stabilize all ED patients
 Cobra which allows employees
can keep group health
care for up to
18 months after loss
of a job

14. 1988
 Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act passed
The Congressional Budget Office
The Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act of 1988
http://cbo.gov/sites/default/files/cbofiles/ftpdocs/84xx/doc84
30/88doc14.pdf

15. 1989
 Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act repealed
X
Medicare
Catastrophic
Coverage Act

16. 1993
 President Clinton plan would provide universal
coverage

17. 1996
 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act
(HIPAA)

18. 1997
 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)

19. 2003
 President Bush signs legislation that adds
prescription drug coverage to Medicare
(December 8, 2003)
 Social Security Legislative Bulletin
http://www.ssa.gov/legislation/legis_bulletin_1211
03.html

20. 2008
 President Obama promises health care reform

21. 2010
 Affordable Care Act signed by President Obama
(March 23, 2010)
 President Obama
Explains the Health Care
Bill
 Affordable Care Act Timeline
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/timeline/