In the early 1960s, a movement emerged in response to the growing federal involvement in the healthcare system, predating the modern tea party movement. This initiative, known as the coffee party movement, was primarily driven by physicians who sought to protect their profession and the care they provided to patients from government intervention.

The coffee party movement can be seen as a historical precursor to contemporary political activism surrounding healthcare reform, such as the opposition to Obamacare. Ted Cruz's book, "A Time for Truth: Reigniting the Promise of America," highlights these movements to illustrate the ongoing struggle over the role of government in healthcare and the importance of preserving individual choice and private practice.