Origin of Universal Health Care in Europe Germany has the world's oldest universal health care system, “Otto von Bismarck's” The 1880’s Bismarck’s legislation in Germany “social protection or social insurance” broadly defined, implying a significant government role , is generally considered a European “invention.”, major contributions of Bismarck’s social legislation the foundation of the welfare state as such. In detail, the following bills were part of Bismarck’s social legislation: Health Insurance Bill of 1883, Accident Insurance Bill of 1884, and Old Age and Disability Insurance Bill of 1889.