Health Care for the Poor and Underserved

1989

In 1988-1989, the state of Tennessee funded Meharry’s Institute on Health Care for the Poor and Underserved to sponsor annual conferences, publish a quarterly journal, and operate an information clearinghouse. The support from the state for the three components of Meharry’s Institute encouraged a cross-fertilization of data, news, ideas, and viewpoints related to improving health and health care policy for underserved populations. The work of the Institute was grounded in the history of Meharry Medical College and supported by past and current research, education, and community engagement activities at the College.

Historical Photo: First Operation at Meharry Medical College, established 1876.

1990

The federal Healthy People initiative for 1990 is produced. The Healthy People 1990 initiative was titled “Promoting Health/Preventing Disease: Objectives for the Nation.” The Healthy People initiative is the result of a multiyear process that reflects input from a diverse group of individuals and organizations.

The Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved is founded by Dr. David Satcher, then President of Meharry Medical College who later became the 16th Surgeon General of the United States. The first issue was published in the summer of 1990, and has continued to be published quarterly since then.

Some highlights from the first issue include Dr. Satcher’s introduction and a paper presented by then-Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Louis W. Sullivan:

A Time of Remembrance and New Beginnings, by David Satcher, MD, PhD

The Federal Initiative: A New Look at Our Health Policy for the Poor and Underserved, by Louis W. Sullivan, MD

Kirk Johnson becomes the first Editor of the JHCPU.

Photo: Dr.… Read More

1992

The Institute on Health Care for the Poor and Underserved announces The Fifth National Conference on Health Care for the Poor and Underserved. The conference theme was “Targeting the Needs of the Underserved: the Urgency of Health Care Reform.”

Photos: Fifth National Conference on Health Care for the Poor and Underserved Attendees, 1992.

1993

President Bill Clinton presented his health reform plan to Congress and the nation. The health care plan was officially known as the “Health Security Act.” Its goal to provide universal health care for all Americans was not achieved, however, as it failed in Congress to become law.

In a guest editorial article published in Volume 4 of the JHCPU, Delfi Mondragon, et al. described the Clinton Administration’s approach to health care as rooted in broad-based participation and multisector planning that was consistent with international models and promised long-overdue recognition that health problems in underserved communities stem from poverty—not the poor.

No More “Let Them Eat Admontitions”: The Clinton Administration’s Emerging Approach to Minority Health, by Delfi Mondragon, MHS, MPH, DrPH

The Factbook on Health Care for the Poor and Underserved was published by the Journal’s office at Meharry. The Factbook covers 99 articles spanning through the first four years of the Journal. The purpose of the Factbook is to allow for new comparisons and fresh insights, provide quotations from authors and conference participants, summarize research findings, and serve as a resource tool. (Later, Factbook was updated as a National Library of… Read More