Post-WWII and the Rise of Social Insurance

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National Health Insurance in Europe: In Europe, many countries began to adopt universal health coverage. In the UK, the National Health Service (NHS) was created in 1948, offering healthcare to all citizens free at the point of use, funded by general taxation. This was part of a broader trend in Europe toward comprehensive social insurance schemes, covering health, unemployment, and old age.
U.S. Medicare and Medicaid (1965): In the U.S., the Medicare and Medicaid programs were introduced in 1965, offering healthcare coverage to the elderly, low-income individuals, and those with disabilities. These programs marked a significant shift in the American healthcare system, which had previously relied largely on private insurance.
The Growth of Life and Health Insurance Markets: During the mid-20th century, life insurance became widely accessible to a larger swath of the population. Policies were marketed not only for death benefits but also as an investment or savings vehicle, with whole life and universal life policies offering cash value accumulation over time.

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