Medicare and Health Insurance History in the United States With a vision to provide a universal health plan, such as Medicare, the United States does not truly have a national health care plan. Even though universal health care, another name for national health care plans, has its conception in the 20th century, the United States has shied away from its inception. In fact, the United States is one of the few industrialized countries that do not offer true, government provided universal health care.
The first private health insurance programs created nation wide was the Blue Cross plans. Originally paid by individuals on prepaid bases for certain hospitals, this was later changed to include any sponsored hospital. The individual would provide a monthly payment that ensured he was cared for a specified number of days.
The Blue Shield plan was another plan created during the 1940s. It allowed the prepayment for doctor services. The plan’s creation provided an alternative to a national health care plan. The Blue Shield and Blue Cross plans eventually merged, forming what we call today Blue Cross Blue Shield.
