1930s: Three out of every four Americans polled in the mid-to late 1930s want the government to help pay for medical care.

Today: A 1999 poll conducted by NBC and The Wall Street Journal shows that two out of three Americans believe the federal government should guarantee health care to all citizens.

1930s: Only about 5 percent of all medical students are women.

Today: Women make up close to half of all medical students, and more women than men are applying to medical school.

1930s: Because many Americans cannot pay for their medical care, the U.S. government initiates changes in health insurance as well as changing its own role in providing money for health care.

Today: Despite an effort led by President Bill Clinton to reform the health care system and provide medical coverage for all Americans, many Americans-nearly one in four-still lack health care...