Page 305 - Beers With Our Founding Fathers
P. 305

A Patriot’s view of the history and direction of our Country



                   water, there was light at the end of the tunnel for the economy.  As

                   our Country evolved from the depression – which was also an
                   international crisis – the population began to realize the end of the

                   temporary Well Fair public assistance programs.  There were no
                   earned entitlement programs (Benefit Culture), but the first of them

                   would soon be developed.  The Social Security System was
                   developed to provide a subsidized retirement – not full retirement –

                   to those that had worked to a specified age.  There was no Medicare
                   or disability under the original Social Security System.  World War II

                   united our Country while creating financial hardships for many – in
                   part due to rationing of consumer goods, and the wage and price

                   freezes imposed to prevent gouging of consumers.  Unions then
                   presented the first work-around for price freezes by supporting the

                   first workplace benefit of healthcare for teachers.
                       The early healthcare system was for treatment, not prevention,

                   of medical needs.  As this benefit would expand and morph into a
                   preventive lifestyle, the costs would also increase.  Jumping to as

                   recent as the 1960’s and 1970’s, healthcare insurance was no longer
                   major medical, it became preventive.  Preventive medicine increases

                   mortality and provides for a higher quality of living.  It also adds to
                   the cost-basis, as every insured, not just an actuarial percentage,

                   would have claims – program liabilities to every taxpayer.  A patient
                   would have annual physicals and discounted prescriptions and other

                   medical care for a monthly premium and annual deductible.  The

                   patient would go to the doctor for treatment and pay for the
                   appointment.  They would then submit the claim to the insurance
                   company for 80% of the cost, paying 20% themselves.  There was



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