Health insurance began in the 1800s as ________ income insurance.

The development of health insurance as disability income insurance in the 1800s is significant because it was designed to provide financial support to individuals who were unable to work due to illness or injury. As the industrial revolution progressed, many workers faced risks of injury or illness that could lead to loss of income. This type of insurance aimed to mitigate the financial burden by offering replacement income, thereby allowing individuals to maintain some level of financial stability while they recuperated.

Disability income insurance marked an early understanding of the need to protect workers and their families from the economic impact of health-related issues, setting a foundation for modern health insurance models that encompass a wider array of healthcare services and protections. By focusing specifically on income replacement during periods of disability, this early form of health insurance addressed a critical gap in financial security for affected individuals.