The Rockefeller Foundation's Betrayal of Natural Medicine

The Rockefeller Foundation's support for the Flexner Report was a major blow to the advancement of natural medicine in the United States. The Flexner Report, which was commissioned by the Carnegie Foundation in 1910, led to the closure of independent medical schools and ultimately halted the practice of complementary and natural medicine. This act of betrayal has had a lasting impact on the field of natural medicine, and its effects are still felt to this day. In this blog post, we will look at how the Rockefeller Foundation's involvement with the Flexner Report ultimately set back the progress of natural medicine in the United States.

Who was Andrew Carnegie?

Andrew Carnegie was an industrialist and philanthropist whose name is often associated with the Rockefellar Foundation and the promotion of natural medicine. Carnegie was a major advocate for the advancement of medical education and in 1904, he founded the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, which was later renamed the Carnegie Foundation. This foundation funded the creation of the Flexner Report in 1910, which sought to improve the quality of medical education across the United States. The report resulted in the closure of several independent medical schools and halted the practice of complementary medicine in the U.S. Carnegie's vision for modern medicine and its influence on the Rockefellar Foundation have since been contested by those who believe in the value of natural medicine.

What was the Flexner Report?

The Flexner Report was a report commissioned in 1910 by Andrew Carnegie and funded by the Rockefeller Foundation that ultimately led to the closure of many independent medical schools and halted the advancement of natural medicine in the U.S. The report was conducted by Dr. Abraham Flexner, who at the time was working as an educational consultant for the Carnegie Foundation. The report was an extensive review of medical education in the United States, and resulted in recommendations for improving the quality of medical instruction. The report's primary recommendation was to eliminate all medical schools that did not meet certain standards, which meant that many independent medical schools, including those which promoted natural medicine, were closed. The impact of the Flexner Report was felt far and wide, as it set a new standard for medical education and effectively stopped the advancement of natural medicine in the U.S. The Rockefellar foundation's support of the Flexner Report was a key factor in its success and ultimately led to the decline of natural medicine in America.

How did the Rockefeller Foundation respond to the Flexner Report?

The Rockefeller Foundation responded to the Flexner Report by investing heavily in the modern medical industry and focusing on the development of allopathic medicine. The Rockefellar Foundation provided massive amounts of financial support to medical schools and hospitals, allowing them to expand and modernize their operations. Unfortunately, the Foundation failed to make any substantial investments in natural medicine or alternative therapies, ignoring the potential health benefits these treatments could provide. This decision was largely seen as a betrayal of natural medicine and has had a lasting impact on how healthcare is delivered in the United States.

What was the impact of the Rockefeller Foundation's response?

The Rockefeller Foundation's response to the Flexner Report had far-reaching and damaging effects on natural medicine in the United States. By partnering with the Carnegie Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation effectively endorsed the Flexner Report's recommendation to shut all independent medical schools and limit access to complementary medicine. This greatly limited the number of practitioners who could offer natural medicine and alternative therapies and created a barrier to those seeking such treatments. This had a huge impact on the availability and affordability of natural medicine, leading to decreased access for patients and practitioners alike. In the end, the Rockefeller Foundation's response to the Flexner Report put an abrupt halt to the development of natural medicine in the U.S.

Natural Medicine in the U.S. today is still in practice

Despite the Rockefeller Foundation's involvement in halting the practice of natural medicine in the U.S. through the Flexner Report, natural medicine is alive and well today. There has been an increase in the number of people seeking out alternative or complementary medical treatments and therapies. People are increasingly aware of the many benefits of natural medicine and have found ways to incorporate it into their healthcare plans, often in conjunction with traditional Western medicine. Natural medicine treatments may include homeopathy, herbal remedies, acupuncture, chiropractic care, massage therapy, nutrition, yoga and more. These treatments are now widely accepted by mainstream healthcare providers as a viable complement to traditional medical therapies. Many insurance companies also provide coverage for some natural medicine treatments, and practitioners are becoming more accessible due to increasing demand. Natural medicine is making a comeback in the U.S., and it is now easier than ever for people to find quality practitioners and treatments.