Universal health care refers to a publicly funded health care delivery system. Whereas opponents of the system generally refer to it as socialized medicine, proponents of universal health care tend to refer to it as such or as a national health service or single payer system. It is characterized by the provision of health care--the level of which varies across individual systems--for all citizens of a particular political entity.
Universal Healthcare Systems
Often universal health care systems are supplied and operated by governments, but this is not always the case. There are some systems where health care is publicly funded, but private firms provide most of the medical services. Also, many countries with universal health care systems allow parallel private providers, which gives individuals the choice of receiving private or public care.
However, this does not generally entail that private customers are exempt from paying taxes (or other costs) used to fund public health care.
Funding
While all universal health care systems are funded publicly, the way these funds are accumulated varies system-to-system. In some universal health care systems, funding comes from general government revenues, like in Canada and Italy. In other countries, such as France, Germany and Japan, funding comes from a government-run social security system, which is on a budget separate from the general state budget.
Coverage
The extent to which medical services are covered under universal health care systems also varies system-to-system. For example, while Canada covers all hospital care expenses, in Japan, patients are required to pay 10 percent to 30 percent of the cost. Precisely what services are provided will also vary. For example, while Belgium pays the majority of its citizens' eye care and dental costs, Australia covers neither.
Worldwide
Most industrialized nations, with the exception of the United States, have some level of publicly funded health care that covers most, if not all of the population. Countries with universal health care systems include Australia, Canada, Cuba, Finland, France, Germany Ghana, Israel, South Africa, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
Disadvantages
Although proponents of universal health care often praise the system for its equality, there are still many problems that detract from its egalitarianism. Countries that allow parallel private providers essentially create a two-tier health care system: wealthy citizens pay for private, higher quality care, while the rest receive public care. Also, many opponents of universal health care argue that its reliance on being cost efficient results in lower quality, less responsive care. In general, doctors practicing in universal health care systems are paid less, and this is thought to lead to a decrease in medical inventions and innovations.
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