Blue Cross and Blue Shield were established in order to make healthcare affordable to individuals. This allowed people that couldn't afford healthcare to pay for a plan that would entitle them to certain services based on an insurance plan that they picked. This made it more financially stable for people facing difficulties to get health care. Blue Cross was created in 1929 to benefit school teachers and give them 21 days of hospital care for $6 a year. Blue Shield was created in 1939 in order to assist employees of lumber and mining camps. This let employers provide medical care for their workers.