Origins of American Health Insurance A History of Industrial Sickness Funds John E. Murray

"Murray offers us a revisionist history of Progressive-era health care reforms, marshalling evidence from a treasure trove of sources."—Howard Bodenhorn, Lafayette College

“Murray’s startling and new findings have important implications for current policy debates—especially proposed reforms to the American health insurance industry.”—Werner Troesken, University of Pittsburgh

“John Murray’s Origins is a strikingly original reconsideration of Progressive-era industrial sickness funds—their track record, their appeal for high-mobility American workers, and their political implications. Good books on health policy history are sorely needed these days, both for economists and the general public. This one is highly recommended.”—Gavin Wright, Stanford University

“John Murray offers a compelling explanation for the defeat of governmental health insurance in the United States during the early twentieth century.  Murray finds that voters rejected governmental plans because they saw no reason to change the status quo. This book is a devastating retort to the dominant interpretation which holds that this movement fell prey to the power of special interests and hysterical propaganda.”—David T. Beito, University of Alabama

"Murray’s superb history of sickness insurance and the demise of attempts to enact a government substitute during the Progressive Era is a must-read for anyone interested in the current health insurance debates."—Price V. Fishback, co-author of A Prelude to the Welfare State:  The Origins of Workers’ Compensation

". . . [A]n engaging and readable history of a neglected set of institutions, combined with a vigorous (but fair) argument about how some scholars have misunderstood the operation of these funds. He draws evidence from both qualitative historical records and econometric analysis."—Thomas N. Maloney, Project Muse

"One of the book's most admirable and compelling aspects is the respectful way Murray treats those with whom he disagrees. In this way, Origins of American Health Insurance is a model of balance and thoroughness. . . . Murray's book is simply the best, most balanced, and most thorough treatment of the topic available. I cannot recommend it more highly or with any greater enthusiasm. Origins of American Health Insurance is simultaneously a lesson in economics and a lesson in history."—Werner Troesken, The Independent Review