Poorhouses and the Origins of the Public Old Age Home
Article Abstract:
An essay is presented dealing with the historical background of the attitudes and rationales leading to the beginnings of public welfare for the elderly. Gleaned from reports in the 1820s, we learn that relief of the poor in early almshouses was an attempt to end selling of the indigent to the lowest bidder. These poorhouses were founded as a charitable method to achieve economic, rehabilitative and humanitarianism measures, but became dreadful surroundings for children. By 1850, almshouses were transformed into separate, specialized institutions for the mentally ill, blind, deaf, mute and juvenile delinquents. The new facilities were based on hopeful management ideas impacting on crime, poverty, ignorance and intemperance-treatment in terms of reform, rehabilitation and education. American policy for the needy, sick and aged low income family has regularly submitted to public demand for cheap labor and low taxes, and has designated custodial care the option chosen to replace compassionate social and character reform.
Publication Name: Health & Society
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0160-1997
Year: 1984
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The Politics of Ideology vs. the Reality of Politics: The Case of Britain's National Health Service in the 1980s
Article Abstract:
This report deals with health care policy in Great Britain since 1979, and with the impact of the Conservative Party ideology on such policy. The British public philosophy supports the National Health Service (NHS) rationale of equitable services of scarce resources. A NHS membership of one million agrees with the British Medical Association to resist instituting a European modeled private sector system of health insurance. The public sector now is responsible for and responsive to the needs of acute medical/surgical treatments and chronic concerns of the aged. Economic implications tend to keep the conservative viewpoint within bounds, although insurance companies and tax incentives have seen growth in 1980 and 1981. Clinical decision making about suitability of medical attention is the main explanation that the NHS proffers the best prototype for rationing health care successfully.
Publication Name: Health & Society
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0160-1997
Year: 1984
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The Use of Intensive Care: New Research Initiatives and Their Implications for National Health Policy
Article Abstract:
The rapid development and expansion of hospital intensive care and coronary care units contribute to the nation's growing health care costs. Very few people actually benefit from these high cost services. Coronary care units admit the most low risk 'too healthy' patients. Admission classification systems at various hospitals are described. Patient data from George Washington University Medical Center's Intensive care unit is analyzed and shown in tables. Ethical and legal implications and guidelines for instituting strict admissions standards are reviewed.
Publication Name: Health & Society
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0160-1997
Year: 1983
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