EVOLUTION OF THE AMERICAN NURSES' ASSOCIATION'S POSITION ON HEALTH INSURANCE FOR THE AGED: 1933-1965 (INSURANCE).
Contributors: University of Kansas.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 540
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.; Political Science, Public Administration.; Women's Studies.; Sociology, Public and Social Welfare.
Description: The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze the evolution of the position of the American Nurses' Association (ANA) on government health insurance for the aged between 1933 and the enactment of Medicare in 1965 and the relationship of that position to the Association's organizational culture.

Data collection entailed review of documents and publications reflecting both (1) the organizational culture of the ANA and (2) the Association's involvement in the drive for health insurance for the aged. Extensive use was made of ANA archival collections at Boston University and Central Files in Kansas City. Written responses and oral interviews were obtained from ANA staff known to have had first hand experience with ANA's legislative and policy making activities during the study period. Data was organized and analyzed by use of the Schein "conceptual model of how culture works" comprised of three aspects of organizational culture--functions, levels, and organizational life cycle.

Since 1936 ANA, through its designated committees, continuously studied and promoted the principle of prepayment insurance plans, both voluntary and government; and inclusion of nursing benefits and improved standards of care in any such plans. ANA membership voted, in 1958, to support the principle of government health insurance for the aged through the extension of Social Security; this was in opposition to organized medicine and hospital associations. From then until 1965 ANA continued to support Medicare proposals and advocate inclusion of nursing benefits and improved standards of nursing home care.

ANA's organizational culture emerged as a powerful force in developing a wide range of policy positions. Conservative but democratic, altruistic yet increasingly self-interested, both scientific and dogmatic, ANA experienced increasing cultural conflicts as it entered mid-life. The other two major factors affecting ANA health policy were its internal resources, which proved to be often very limited, and the external forces in its professional and political environment, principally the powerful American Medical Association and hospital associations. This study suggests that the interaction of organizational culture, internal issues, and external forces are significant to organizations of women and professionals and to health policy making.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-03, Section: B, page: 1198.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS, 1989.

School code: 0099.