The Century-Long Battle Over Healthcare: Myths, Interests, and Political Cycles with David Blumenthal and James A Morone

Year(s) Discussed: 1789-current

Most of us are unaware that the fight over healthcare in America is a century-long battle filled with surprising twists, political cycles, and personal stories that have shaped policy — and presidents — throughout history. In my discussion with David Blumenthal and Jim Morone about their new book, Whiplash: From the Battle for Obamacare to the War on Science, they reveal how healthcare has been a defining, often contentious, issue from Theodore Roosevelt’s early calls for national insurance to the Affordable Care Act. They unravel the cyclical dance between Democrats and Republicans, showing how ideas cycled back, often repurposed and rebranded, with private industry and ideological fears shaping the debate for decades. With lessons from the past and eye-opening truths about the present, Jim and David equip you with a deeper understanding of the forces that shape health policy and how resilience and leadership can steer us toward reform.