The foundation of medicine
Health means the state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing and not necessarily the absence of disease. In an effort to improve the quality of life, the health industry has evolved for centuries significantly. The foundation of medicine started with the father of medicine, Hippocrates, a Greek physician. Despite such an early professionalization of medicine, it is not until the 1700s that medical colleges were put in place in the US, without government involvement. Initially, the health industry’s insurance covers were only for medical practitioners, which aimed to promote their morale and job satisfaction. After World War II, major advancements were experienced in the health industry, starting with discovering the first polio vaccine and kidney transplants, which cause a hike in the medical prices. Around 1965 the social security act was passed, and later the Medicare Act was implemented to facilitate medical care for the low-income families, expectant mothers, and persons living with a disability. In 1973 the Health Maintenance Organization Act was implemented, aiming to ensure order in the industry. In 1986 the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act was passed. Later in 1996, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act was established to protect the patients’ privacy. In 1997 the children’s Health insurance program was established. In 2000 further reforms on Medicare prescription drugs were made. Later in 2010 the Patient Protection and Affordable Act was signed to help families with low incomes access insurance cover. Generally, the US healthcare industry has experienced major changes in the past, which have contributed significantly to the health services’ efficiency and affordability. Every Act, Law ad reforms made in the health industry have helped improve the overall performance of the health facilities and the quality of services the patients receive.