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Learning Log #14

Some things that I found interesting this week the historical development of health insurance in the United States, particularly its shift from a mechanism for replacing wages to one for paying for medical expenses, caught my attention in particular. Rather than directly paying for medical expenses, early "sickness insurance" programs were mainly concerned with compensating employees who missed work due to illness or accident. The groundwork for contemporary health insurance was established during this transition, which was characterized by the development of the first health insurance programs, such as the partnership between Baylor University Hospital and Dallas educators. Learning how these programs developed into Blue Cross and Blue Shield and how they became well-known, particularly during the Great Depression when many Americans found it difficult to pay for healthcare out of pocket, was intriguing. This information would be extremely helpful to me as a healthcare administrator. Knowing the history and evolution of health insurance helps put current discussions about its availability, cost, and function in the US in perspective. Due to historical causes like workers' compensation legislation and sickness funds, the relationship between employment and health insurance continues to have an impact on the healthcare system today. This information could assist administrators balance cost, employee satisfaction, and legal compliance when making strategic decisions about employee health coverage. Additionally, administrators can utilize this historical viewpoint to support policies that guarantee the sustainability and equity of healthcare services as the article addresses contemporary issues in the healthcare system, such as growing costs and discussions around nationalized healthcare. Given the continuous difficulties in healthcare reform, particularly the need to strike a balance between innovation, affordability, and accessibility, administrators must remain up to date on the background and prospects of the American healthcare system. 


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