Obama Universal Healthcare vs. Truman

Obama Universal Healthcare vs. Truman

It is important to note that, though we can compare the "proposed" Truman and Obama universal health plans, since Truman's wasn't passed and Obama's is but a proposal right now, it is difficult to know what the actual plans will looks like -- or, for that matter, what the final Obama proposal will say.

It is clear that both presidents were asking for a national or universal health care plan so that all citizens could be covered. And both health care plans would build on the existing health care system, use existing providers, doctors, and plans to implement the plan.

Truman's health plan was optional for everyone -- opt in or opt out. Obama's health plan as currently stated is mandatory for children and optional for most adults.

It's also apparent that both plans favor people being able to choose their own doctors and hospitals. As well, patients would be able to make health care decisions with their doctors instead of being hindered by going through insurance companies.

One of Truman's big issues was bringing doctors and other healthcare professionals to rural areas of the country where they were badly needed. Obama's main issue is electronic health information technology systems to convert from paper to computer and online filing systems that can be shared more easily with other healthcare professionals.

Truman's insurance plan gave a cash balance to the policy holder to replace wages lost due to illness or injury. Obama's plan offers no such wages for illness or injury.

Truman proposed building many new hospitals across the country and standards to control quality. Obama concentrates funds more on quality of medical care.

Truman's Universal Healthcare Proposal

On November 19, 1945, only 7 months into his presidency, Harry S. Truman gave a speech to the United States Congress proposing a new national health care program.

The first issue was the lack of doctors, dentists, nurses, and other health professionals in many rural or otherwise lower-income areas of the United States. He proposed to attract doctors to the areas that needed them with federal funding (Truman Library).

The second problem that Truman aimed to correct was the lack of quality hospitals in rural and lower-income counties. President Truman proposed to provide government funds for the construction of new hospitals across the country. To insure only quality hospitals were built, the plan also called for the creation of national standards for hospitals and other health centers. Harry S. Truman's third initiative was closely tied to the first two. It called for a board of doctors and public officials to be created. This board would create standards for hospitals and ensure that new hospitals met these standards. The board would also be responsible for directing federal funds into medical research (Truman Library).

The most controversial aspect of the plan was the proposed national health insurance plan. In the November 19th address, President Truman called for the creation of a national health insurance fund, to be run by the federal government. This fund would be open to all Americans, but would remain optional. Participants would pay monthly fees into the plan, which would cover the cost of any and all medical expenses that arose in a time of need. The government would pay for the cost of services rendered by any doctor who chose to join the program. In addition, the insurance plan would give a cash balance to the policy holder to replace wages lost due to illness or injury (Truman Library).

Obama's Universal Healthcare Proposal

The Obama-Biden plan provides affordable, accessible health care for all Americans, builds on the existing health care system, and uses existing providers, doctors and plans to implement the plan. Under the Obama-Biden plan, patients will be able to make health care decisions with their doctors, instead of being blocked by insurance company bureaucrats. Under the plan, if you like your current health insurance, nothing changes, except your costs will go down by as much as $2,500 per year (Organizing for America: Healthcare).

If you don't have health insurance, you will have a choice of new, affordable health insurance options. It requires insurance companies to cover pre-existing conditions so all Americans regardless of their health status or history can get full benefits at fair premiums.