Hoffman 1-5

I enjoyed this book very much since it focused more on the history of healthcare in the past like Humphrey's book. I think the Great Depression is such a major factor in so many policies we have today for impoverished people. I think the depression changed the attitudes on the poor immensely in America. Because it hit the rich as much as it hit the poor, people opened their eyes to the fact that being poor wasn't always in that persons control. Being poor was often seen because of lack of education, a bad family, and laziness. The depression showed that people who worked hard and were successful could fall right down to their level in one swoop. This led to the government taking on a new roll as an active protector of impoverished people.

Her discussion of healthy v. unhealthy populations of African-Americans in the past and the poor today are just proof of why we need to improve our healthcare system. The shift of the discrimination on race is now a discrimination on socio-economic status. I think so much time has passed from the depression and that idea that we are all need to care for eachother had disappeared. People use the excuse of "this is America, you can always make your own wealth, so there's not excuse to be poor" aged out when people couldn't casually claim land left and right. You need money to make money in todays world. Despite the few exceptions of some raw talents, people need to go to college to make a decent living. Even singers need money for studio time and vocal lessons. Actors need to go to theater school. If people are born into an unfortunate situation, there's not much that they can to do get out of that situation. And these situations get worst with poor health. Basic care for everyone in the nation should be a primary concern for everyone.