17. All of these different Acts and
developments helped Health Care to
come a long way. From the first health
insurance to the new health information
technology today, we know that
throughout the years we have
succeeded in making it better.
18. Works Cited
Green, Michelle A. "Chapter 2: Introduction to
Health Insurance." Understanding Health
Insurance: A Guide to Billing and
Reimbursement. 11th ed. Clifton Park,
NY: Thomson Delmar Learning, 2006.
24-29. Print.
Editor's Notes
In 1850, The Franklin Health Assurance Company was the first commercial company in the U.S. It provided private care for injuries that did not result in death.
In 1908, FELA was signed my President Theodore Roosevelt. This act protected and compensated railroad workers if they ever got hurt while they were working. In 1916, FECA was created to provide medical care, survival benefits and compensation for lost wages to employees of the federal government.
In 1929, a plan was introduced that offered teachers twenty-one days of hospital care for just 6$ a year, this was considered the first Blue Cross plan.In 1939, employers wanted to provide medical care to their workers, the employers paid a monthly fee to have their workers be able to go to medical service bureaus that had multiple providers available. This was considered the first Blue Shield plan.
In 1940, group health insurance was offered for the first time to full-time employees. Group health insurance is medical coverage available through employers and other organizations. Employers will usually pay at least part of the premium cost.
In 1946, the Hill Burton Act provided federal grants to modernizing hospitals that had died because of no incoming funds. Because they received these funds, the hospitals had to provide either free or reduced services for people who could not afford care. In 1947, the Taft Hartley Act improved relations between labor and management. As a result, the act indirectly created third party administrators; they process claims and plans, this served as a checks and balances for labor and management.
The ICD or international classification of diseases was created in 1948 by the World Health Organization. This was a classification system used to collect statistical data. In 1950, insurance companies began to offer people major medical insurance, this provided people with coverage for tragic illnesses and injuries.
In 1966, both Medicare and Medicaid were created as a way to help people who couldn’t pay for their own insurance.Medicare provides healthcare services to citizens aged 65 and older.Medicaid is a federal and state funded insurance to help low income Americans receive health care. CHAMPUS was created as a means of health care provided for people who have served in the armed forces. It is now called TRICARE.
In 1970, OSHA was created. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is designed to protect any and all employees from injuries and any hazards in the workplace.
In 1973, two major events happened in the History of Health Insurance. CHAMPVA was created to provide benefits to families of veterans who were deemed completely disabled as a result of their service to the country. It was also for veterans who died in combat or in active service. HMOs were also created, the Health Maintenance Organization Assistance Act authorized grants to private organizations that wanted to become Health Maintenance Organizations.
In 1977, the Health Care Financing Administration was formed to combine healthcare financing and quality assurance programs into one agency. Also transferred to this program was Medicaid and Medicare. COBRA, the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act was created in 1985 to allow employees to continue their healthcare even after they’ve been terminated.
In 1988, two important events took place that changed health care as a whole. First TRICARE was created as a result of CHAMPUS. It was created as a health care initiative for active duty military personnel and their families.CLIA, the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act created standards for lab testing so that they could ensure accuracy, timeliness and reliability of patient test results no matter where the test is performed.
In 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was created to help ensure that privacy, security and electronic transactions had standards regulations. The main purpose of HIPPA is to give better health insurance access, reduce fraud and abuse, and reduce costs to practices.
In 2000, we are introduced to consumer driven health plans (CDHPs). These were created to encourage patients to find the best health care at the most affordable price. There are three different categories:Employer-paid high-deductible plans, these have health care savings accounts to cover any medical costs they may run into. Defined contribution plans, these provide a selection of options for insurance. The employee will pay the difference of what the employer wont pay. After-tax savings accounts, these combine the traditional major medical insurance with a savings account the employee can use for care.
In 2003, the MMA was created to provide a new drug and preventative benefit, adds more assistance to low income households and adds a Medicare contracting reform to improve the fee-for-service program and establish a bidding process.
In 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was created to provide reform to private health insurance and provide better coverage to people with preexisting conditions. Its primary goal is to ensure that Americans have affordable health care and improve the quality and effectiveness of health care and to ensure better public health. In 2011, the i2 Initiative was designed to encourage innovations in Heath IT. It encouraged research and development of new Health care programs in the U.S.
