of choice of physician and institution. The work was conducted by a few employees and independent physicians who were compensated in accordance with their work. Maccabi’s goal was to provide public medicine with the quality of private medicine. During the first years Maccabi branches only operated in central Israel: Tel Aviv-Yafo, Ramat Gan, Holon, Bat Yam and Kfar Shemaryahu. The main obstacle in the HMO’s path was difficulties imposed by the Israel Medical Association, especially in Jerusalem, but elsewhere as well. Maccabi’s breakthrough towards country-wide distribution was in 1977 as Dr. Pinchas Nagel replaces Dr. Freudenthal as CEO, when the latter became chairman of the board. When Dr. Freudenthal died in 1982 Sarah Doron was elected as chairwoman of the board. When she retired in 2010 Prof. Moshe Revah was elected to replace her. Prof. Revah had extensive experience in management of healthcare systems, as he had formerly been the head medical officer in the IDF and the manager of Rambam hospital in Haifa. Mrs. Doron was awarded the title “Honorary President” of Maccabi, a title she carried while continuing to operate within Maccabi until her death. The leap in Maccabi’s popularity began in 1990. By 1995, the HMO had quintupled its membership to over one million. In 1994 Maccabi had another significant milestone when it purchased Assuta hospital, later to be united with the Ramat Marpe hospital. Together, they perform approximately one eighth of the surgeries in Israel. The 10th Maccabi Conference took place in 2000, and indicated positive trends in the HMO’s development. The HMO had 1.46 million members at the time, and increased its share from 19.9% to 22.6% of the population (the largest increase of any HMO). Surveys conducted among members of all HMOs showed Maccabi with the highest satisfaction rate. In 2005, Maccabi began conducting medical research, increased the activities of Assuta, and established Maccabi Holdings in which its subsidiaries are managed. Prof. Ehud Kokia was appointed to manager of the health division in 2005, and to CEO in 2007. Prof. Kokia led strategic moves to empower the members, improve service and reduce the inequality in the Israeli healthcare system. As of 2017, the chairman of the board is Professor Moshe Revah, and since 2011, the CEO has been Ran Sa’ar. Heading the health division since 2014 is Professor Nachman Ash, who replaced Professor Avi Porat. Programs and Services Maccabi Healthcare Services provides its members