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According to the history page of American Red Cross, the organization began in 1882. In the 23 years following that, the organization aided in disaster relief efforts with the US Army during the Spanish American War. Not until prior to WW1 was the first water safety, first aid and health program introduced by the organization, where they first expanded their efforts and scope of what they can offer. What truly motivated the way and thinking of disaster relief was the outbreak of war America had. The organization grew tremendously because of war. In the 4 years between 1914 an 1918, chapters of American Red Cross went from 107 to 3,864- which is astonishing. Membership also grew from 17,000 to 20 million in that time. With this large jump of people and chapters came a large growth in funding and material to cover programs, hospitals, nurses, etc to aid refugees and American and Allied forces. Then in 1918, influenza pandemic struck and American Red Cross was able to help combat that and in the process took on more nurses to do so. This trend of growth is seen during times of war, or devastation such as the Great Depression, Mississippi River flood and WW2. Ultimately, what motivated the growth and disaster response was the need for it. As need increased for care during times of war, devastation or disease, American Red Cross grew, due to those in support of troops overseas, volunteering time and money, which allowed for the organization to grow and gain the moment needed to combat epidemics and eventually natural disasters.

This was touched upon a little in a previous question. Many cases of patient dumping were popping up around America. Patients in need  of emergency medical care were being cast aside, ignored and delayed due to their inability to pay. In addition to the stab patient, Eugene Barnes that sparked this law, there were dozens of other cases where patients needed to be transferred to larger hospitals but the hospital refused to take patients without insurance, so the patients died. There were cases of people being asked right before surgery for a deposit, and being unable to pay were discharged with no surgery. There was also a very high rate of dead babies that were arising due to the fact that mothers in labor were being turned away because the patient was uninsured. It was then realized by the government that there were no legal duties for a hospital to treat people who are in emergency situations but cannot pay, only ethical and moral duties, which apparently weren't enough in some cases. This led to the birth of the EMTALA, requiring medical attention to all ED patients as well as transfers if needed to stabilize, including mothers in labor.