tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11034229.post115201247934670244..comments2023-07-14T02:53:40.719-07:00Comments on retired doc's thoughts: NEJM Health Policy report-employee sponsored medical insurancejames gaultehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05537303135780186926noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11034229.post-1152212166693366022006-07-06T11:56:00.000-07:002006-07-06T11:56:00.000-07:00I don't think this quite grasps the idea. The orig...I don't think this quite grasps the idea. The origin of Blue Cross-Blue Shielf as I remember the story was in Dallas, Texas in the 1930s. The school teachers wanted some means of insuring for hospitalization and surgical fees. The hospitals and surgeons were happy. This suggested they might get paid, when on many occasions in the past they were paid a bit and usually late.<BR/>It grew like topsy. The unions demanded similar insurance, then the largest corporations began offering health insurance.<BR/>When I was a young resident in Detroit in mid 1960s, I found the UAW had gotten the big three to cover out-patient procedures (radiology, etc). Next quickly came coverage for the doctor seen as an out-patient. And now we are in a mess. No one wants to either pay for medical care or take responsibility for their own health.<BR/>DocJimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com