title: The evolution of health care in America.
abstract: The evolution of health care in America had its beginnings even before the founding of the nation. This article divides the evolution of American health care into six historical periods: (1) the charitable era, (2) the origins of medical education era, (3) the insurance era, (4) the government era, (5) the managed care era, and (6) the consumerism era.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Zinner
authors.forename: Kevin R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Loughlin
mesh_terms: D003256:Community Participation / Q000266:history; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000266:history*; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000266:history; D049671:History, 18th Century; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health / Q000266:history; D007878:Legislation as Topic / Q000266:history; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000266:history; D014481:United States