Fierce debate over healthcare policy among Democrats and efforts to erode Obamacare by Republicans continue to shine a spotlight on the state of medical care in the U.S., and it’s important to understand how we got here. The Onion takes a look at the most significant moments in the history of healthcare in America.
1607-1850:
Pretty much you just died.
1865:
Slavery abolished, causing many African Americans to lose employer-sponsored health coverage.
1904:
Clara Barton resigns as president of American Red Cross to accept seat on board of Aetna.
1922:
Idiot doctor who invented insulin gives it away for free like a fucking chump.
1939:
New Zealand figures out universal healthcare system even though it only 1939.
1966:
Passage of Medicare and Medicaid inspires millions to cheat system by getting poor or elderly.
1989:
Dr. Feelgood makes ya feel all right.
1998:
Aunt Cindy gets into crystals.
2010:
Affordable Care Act gives millions of Americans immediate access to insurers’ most inventive ways to avoid covering healthcare.
2019:
Indiana resident Jim Clayborn makes fiscally irresponsible decision to contract colon cancer.