Congress Passes Socialized Medicine and Mandates Health Insurance - In 1798

[Playinghardball]

The ink was barely dry on the PPACA when the first of many lawsuits to block the mandated health insurance provisions of the law was filed in a Florida District Court.

The pleadings, in part, read -

The Constitution nowhere authorizes the United States to mandate, either directly or under threat of penalty, that all citizens and legal residents have qualifying health care coverage.

State of Florida, et al. vs. HHS

It turns out, the Founding Fathers would beg to disagree.

In July of 1798, Congress passed – and President John Adams signed - “An Act for the Relief of Sick and Disabled Seamen.” The law authorized the creation of a government operated marine hospital service and mandated that privately employed sailors be required to purchase health care insurance.

Read more of this interesting article at: http://blogs.forbes.com/rickungar/2011/01/17/congress-passes-socialized-medicine-and-mandates-health-insurance-in-1798/

[dflprincess]

1. The sailors were required to pay 1% of their income into a pool to cover

their medical expenses if and when the sailor had some. It was more similar to the Medicare tax than being required to pay a fee to a private, third party vendor that may or may not pay your medical claims.

[SlimJimmy]

2. I read the original and companion article, and here's what I got out of it.

"There's no proof from the historical record that Adams would have backed the idea behind the individual mandate in particular."

In other words, Adams didn't say or sign what you implied. And being a student of Adams (a proponent of a strong central government) I just wondered what the OP was trying to say.

[Obamanaut]

3. Additional discussion in threads at these links ->

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=236288

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=235609

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=439&topic_id=231537

[ashling]

4. Letter to the Editor

I got this in the paper back in August:

Myths, Mis-directions, and Lies
It is really difficult to keep up with all of the myths, misdirections, and outright lies from the right on healthcare reform. Where to begin?
1. Myth: “The founders never intended for the government. to be involved in healthcare”

Reality: The Congress first got involved in healthcare when employers of merchant seamen were TAXED to create the Marine Hospital Service in 1798 by: THE FOUNDERS!

2. Mis-direction: “Why so fast?”
Re-direction: Fast? The right has been using this for over 50 years! The first bill in this session alone was introduced in January. Taking Cheesey Chuck Grassley at his word, the only Republican move in the Senate has been delay – not serious negotiation. Give me a break!
3. Outright Lie: “Healthcare reform will put a government bureaucrat between you and your doctor and result in –gasp! – rationing!”
Absolute Truth: Rationing goes on today. Millions who are uninsured get no care. Many with health insurance have their policies rescinded when they try to use them for a critical illness. Those with insurance already have a health insurance bureaucrat between them and their doctor . . . one concerned only with the bottom line – of the insurance company.
We need healthcare reform with a public option – NOW!