Editorial [Malta Medical Journal, Vol.29(2)]

Abstract

The United States (US) population is 323 million (as of 2016), and health care provisions are important not only to the populace but also to politicians who seek election or re-election. Historically, US administrations have experienced tremendous difficulties when attempting to institute a national health insurance system. Obstacles included opposition from the American Medical Association, the insurance industry and pharma/medical business.1-2 The spectre of socialized medicine and ailing foreign health systems were typical cautionary tales utilised by opposition to and vested interests against a nationalised health service.1-2 President Lyndon B. Johnson first managed to introduce a modicum of basic national health insurance in 1965 with Medicare and Medicaid.1-2 These were crucial for certain population subgroups as uninsured patients are required to pay at point of care.