1883

German Chancellor Otto Bismarck proposes, and Reichstag passes, the world’s first social health insurance system, the Krankenversicherungsgesetz (Health Insurance Act). This was Bismarck’s way of defusing growing unrest among laborers and growing power of the Labor movement in German politics. The act introduced compulsory health insurance for all employees, with costs borne jointly by employees and employers.  The act of 1883 was followed by accident coverage in 1884 and old-age and disability pensions in 1889.