title: The development of the U.S. Health Care System and the contemporary role of the public health department.
abstract: The absence of national health care reform and the growing number of uninsured individuals in the United States have prompted states to develop plans to provide medical care for the low income and the indigent. Many local health departments are not only responsible for the core public health functions; but they are increasingly called upon to provide person health care services for those who cannot afford it. This article chronicles the development of the health care system in the United States and describes the contemporary role of the local public health department.
authors.affiliation: Montana State University-Billings, USA.
authors.forename: Catherine J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Grott
mesh_terms: D003363:Cost Control; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D017057:Medically Uninsured; D011057:Politics; D011635:Public Health Administration / Q000191:economics / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends*; D012380:Role; D017664:Uncompensated Care; D014481:United States