The cliche that you cannot put a price on good health was vigorously challenged in the 1950s. People's astonishment at the accomplishments of medical science turned into shock when they found out the cost. Billions of dollars were spent on health care during the 1950s, and it was not enough. There were still sick people and dreaded diseases. There was also optimism that a disease-free society was within reach, if only Americans could afford it.

The Government and Health Care.

The government became a major force in the medical field after World War II. Both Presidents Harry S Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower were outspoken supporters of federally sponsored medical research. Under their administrations the National Institutes of Health, which became the umbrella agency for federally sponsored research projects, flourished. Its support for medical science grew from $180,000 in 1945 to $100 million...