During the progressive era the nation was being transformed from a “rural to an urban-based economy”[1]. As more and more people moved to the cities in search of work the poor were at great risk of contracting diseases due the over crowded living conditions and the lack of adequate sanitation. No national health insurance was available at that time. "The government didn’t want responsibility for issuing or funding mandated health insurance and left it to the states, who in turn left it to private and/or voluntary programs"[2]. Health care was outside the reach of most working Americans.
By Anna Trevino
[1] Eadie, Md., James S. "American Health Care:Yesterday and Today." EM Resident Oct/Nov (2003):
n. pag. Web. 15 Feb 2011.
[2] Palmer, Karen S. "A Brief History: Universal Health Care Efforts in the US.:" Physicians for a
National Health Program Spring 1999: n. pag. Web. 15 Feb 2011.
[1] Eadie, Md., James S. "American Health Care:Yesterday and Today." EM Resident Oct/Nov (2003):
n. pag. Web. 15 Feb 2011.
[2] Palmer, Karen S. "A Brief History: Universal Health Care Efforts in the US.:" Physicians for a
National Health Program Spring 1999: n. pag. Web. 15 Feb 2011.
