Health Care Policy
President Bill Clinton proposed major healthcare reform in 1993, but he was unable to get backing from Congress. His plan fails in Congress in 1994. In 1996, major welform reforms are inacted. The State Children's Health Insurance Program is establish in 1997, providing more coverage for uninsured children.
The 1990's
President Clinton is unable to enact health care reform even with a Democratic majority in Congress.
in 1985, President Ronald Reagan signed the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). This legislation allowed employees to continue their health care coverage after leaving their job. In 1988, the Medicare Catastrophic Coverage Act is passed but is soon repealed by Congress due to its unpopularity.
The 1980's
President Reagan is able to lobby for COBRA.
In 1960, congress passed the Kerr-Mills Act which gave states federal grants to cover healthcare for the elderly and poor. This legislation was not effective as all of the states did not participate. In 1965, the Medicare and Medicaid programs were created. This legislation gave comprehensive healthcare to millions of people.
In 1971, President Nixon supported a program that would mandate employers provide healthcare to their employees. In 1973, he signed the Health Maintanance Organization (H.M.O.) Act Law. In 1974, Congress passed the employee retirement income Security Act. In 1976, President campaigned unsuccessfully for national health insurance.
President Nixon recognized the increasing cost of health care and pushes for an employee healthcare mandate. He was not able to get a bill in Congress.
The 1970's
President Carter campaigned for national health insurance.
The 1960's
President John F. Kennedy was unsuccessful in getting Congress to make sweeping changes in healthcare reform.
Healthcare in the United States
Healthcare in the United States has dominated the political agenda since the 1800’s. Some of the most revolutionary changes to public health care occurred within the last fifty years. Perhaps the two most important changes being the establishment of Medicare and Medicaid in the 60’s, and the most recent change the Affordable Care Act of 2010. The following will take on a journey through the past fifty years decade by decade detailing what occurred during that particular time, leaving you with a more in depth understanding of healthcare policy within the United States.
President Lyndon Johnson was able to get Medicaid and Medicare legislation passed in the Congress.
Bush supported a free-market healthcare system instead of a universal healthcare plan.
The 2000's
President Obama felt the need for reform which resulted in the Affordable Care Act ( ObamaCare).
In 2003 George W. Bush expanded medicare with the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Moderation Act. Then, in 2009, Obama promised for healthcare reform and in 2010 the Affordable Care Act was passed. At the time it was supported by both houses of Congress but the Republican majority in the House of Representatives have been critical and have threatened to repeal parts of the law.