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Health Care Reform in the Light of History

Health Care Reform in the Light of History The health care crisis in the United States has roots that reachinto the nineteenth century. An examination of the cultural, social, andeconomic roots should warn against piecemeal and shortrange measures tocorrect a fragmented system which, despite all its achievements, isdraining the economy while it fails to meet the needs of millions.Unlike the Western European experience, it began as a loosely organizedand loosely coordinated system, responding as it grew to the forces ofchange research from Europe, technological advances, corporateinterests, the need for a healthier labour force, and the economicstimuli of the marketplace. Throughout the centuries, the delivery ofmedical care was seen in the terms of the buying and selling of acommodity. Professional and corporate groups are interested in keepingit essentially as it is by emphasizing its accomplishments andpredicting setbacks of all kinds if drastic change is made. Argues thatif the reformers in and out of government do not recognize the roots ofthe problems and the pivotal points requiring radical surgery, they willbe unsuccessful in bringing about a more comprehensive and efficienthealth care system. A final lesson of history is that health care is amuch broader reality than medical care. The health of the people dependslargely on the improvement of the social and natural environment. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png International Journal of Social Economics Emerald Publishing

Health Care Reform in the Light of History

Rizzo, Robert F.
International Journal of Social Economics , Volume 20 (11): 17 – Nov 1, 1993
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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © Emerald Group Publishing Limited
ISSN
0306-8293
DOI
10.1108/03068299310046081
Publisher site
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Abstract

The health care crisis in the United States has roots that reachinto the nineteenth century. An examination of the cultural, social, andeconomic roots should warn against piecemeal and shortrange measures tocorrect a fragmented system which, despite all its achievements, isdraining the economy while it fails to meet the needs of millions.Unlike the Western European experience, it began as a loosely organizedand loosely coordinated system, responding as it grew to the forces ofchange research from Europe, technological advances, corporateinterests, the need for a healthier labour force, and the economicstimuli of the marketplace. Throughout the centuries, the delivery ofmedical care was seen in the terms of the buying and selling of acommodity. Professional and corporate groups are interested in keepingit essentially as it is by emphasizing its accomplishments andpredicting setbacks of all kinds if drastic change is made. Argues thatif the reformers in and out of government do not recognize the roots ofthe problems and the pivotal points requiring radical surgery, they willbe unsuccessful in bringing about a more comprehensive and efficienthealth care system. A final lesson of history is that health care is amuch broader reality than medical care. The health of the people dependslargely on the improvement of the social and natural environment.

Journal

International Journal of Social Economics – Emerald Publishing

Published: Nov 1, 1993

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