<P> Following the world war , President Harry Truman called for universal health care as a part of his Fair Deal in 1949 but strong opposition stopped that part of the Fair Deal . However , in 1946 the National Mental Health Act was passed , as was the Hospital Survey and Construction Act , or Hill - Burton Act . In 1951 the IRS declared group premiums paid by employers as a tax - deductible business expense , which solidified the third - party insurance companies ' place as primary providers of access to health care in the United States . </P>
<P> Following the world war , President Harry Truman called for universal health care as a part of his Fair Deal in 1949 but strong opposition stopped that part of the Fair Deal . However , in 1946 the National Mental Health Act was passed , as was the Hospital Survey and Construction Act , or Hill - Burton Act . In 1951 the IRS declared group premiums paid by employers as a tax - deductible business expense , which solidified the third - party insurance companies ' place as primary providers of access to health care in the United States . </P>
who was the first u.s. president to propose a national health insurance plan
who was the first u.s. president to propose a national health insurance plan
Harry Truman
Harry Truman