Health
Fact-checked

At TheHealthBoard, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.

Learn more...

What is Universal Health Care?

Brendan McGuigan
Brendan McGuigan

Universal health care is a term that refers to a governmental system meant to ensure that every citizen or resident of a region has access to the required medical services. The methods through which payment is achieved, and through which doctors and other medical professionals practice medicine, vary widely depending on the country or municipality.

Health coverage was first achieved on a national level in Germany in the 1880s as part of a widespread system of reforms instituted by Otto von Bismarck. Germany’s early system had both employees and employers pay into a health care system, which was administered by local health bureaus. In the modern world, every wealthy industrialized nation, aside from the United States, offers some form of universal health care to its citizens.

Universal healthcare, a controversial subject in the U.S., refers to a governmental system that ensures every citizen has access to healthcare.
Universal healthcare, a controversial subject in the U.S., refers to a governmental system that ensures every citizen has access to healthcare.

One of the most socialized systems is the National Health Service (NHS) of the United Kingdom, which was established in the wake of World War II, in 1948. Every facet of medical care is covered entirely from tax revenues, so that patients need not pay at all, either into a general insurance fund or in direct fees to a medical provider. Medicines, meals, lodging, and services are all provided, as are incidental costs such as outpatient care and equipment. In the past, the NHS was criticized for offering a fairly low quality of health care, and for extended wait times for service. Since the late 1990s, the government has invested substantially more money in the NHS, modernizing it drastically and bringing it up to a par with the rest of Europe. The NHS has also begun to interact more heavily with the private sector, often outsourcing entire segments of health care to non-governmentally controlled interests.

Every facet of medical care is covered with taxes under the National Health Service of the United Kingdom.
Every facet of medical care is covered with taxes under the National Health Service of the United Kingdom.

Other systems of universal health care may have mandatory insurance for citizens as a way of providing medical services. Under a system like this, insurance rates are kept low through subsidies, but all people are required to buy into a system. This sort of flat fee helps reduce the funding tax burden, and in most cases, assistance is provided by the government for those who are not able to afford an insurance payment. Some systems may require employers to carry the bulk of the burden of paying for insurance, rather than the individual.

Some universal health care systems may have mandatory insurance for citizens as a way of providing medical services.
Some universal health care systems may have mandatory insurance for citizens as a way of providing medical services.

While universal health care is not an issue of much debate in many nations, in the last few years it has begun to face attacks in countries where it has long been an institution. Aging populations have in many cases placed a high burden on existing systems, and increased privatization throughout the world has led to factions pushing against system of public health care. Opponents often argue that, by keeping health care out of the free market, quality of service is reduced, wait times are increased, and freedom of choice is stifled.

Under universal health care, the methods through which doctors practice medicine vary widely between countries.
Under universal health care, the methods through which doctors practice medicine vary widely between countries.

In the United States, the issue of universal health care is highly politicized. As the only wealthy industrial nation without such a system of any sort, a number of political candidates and elected officials have made the institution of such a system a high priority. Proposals range from tax-funded systems along the lines of the UK model, to single-payer, mandatory insurance systems. As the issue becomes more mainstream, and the public becomes more informed, it will likely continue to become a hot button political issue, and to play a major role in future elections.

Discussion Comments

anon301510

Thank you for your information! You did not have what I was looking for, but I have found some other valuable information that I could use!

anon128146

The U.S. medicare is no longer for kids under 18. I am 16 and i do not have any type of health care! It is worsening by the year.

anon121866

The UK system is not free. Everyone pays "national insurance" - health insurance which is paid to the government supposedly to improve the NHS. Which, by the way is in the worst shape now than it has ever been. Get your facts straight.

anon114609

Universal health care works in countries such as Germany and the UK because:

1. patients have to pay nothing, all funds are provided by taxes.

2. The populations of the UK and Germany are so much smaller than that of the US, making their health care programs easier to manage and control.

anon112093

If this health care is so good then why don't the politicians use it? Why don't we get rid of medicare and save the millions that it costs to run medicare. If by their own words we have to have medical insurance or pay a fine? Then I see know reason for us to have all the other federal supported insurances.

anon89679

The German system is so much better than the UK one.

anon55603

now there is no free health care for adults -- just kids under 18 years of age.

malena

Of those countries that have universal health care, are citizens _required_ to receive regular medical care (e.g., preventative care or annual physicals)?

Post your comments
Login:
Forgot password?
Register:
    • Universal healthcare, a controversial subject in the U.S., refers to a governmental system that ensures every citizen has access to healthcare.
      By: Monkey Business
      Universal healthcare, a controversial subject in the U.S., refers to a governmental system that ensures every citizen has access to healthcare.
    • Every facet of medical care is covered with taxes under the National Health Service of the United Kingdom.
      By: Monkey Business
      Every facet of medical care is covered with taxes under the National Health Service of the United Kingdom.
    • Some universal health care systems may have mandatory insurance for citizens as a way of providing medical services.
      By: phasinphoto
      Some universal health care systems may have mandatory insurance for citizens as a way of providing medical services.
    • Under universal health care, the methods through which doctors practice medicine vary widely between countries.
      By: sepy
      Under universal health care, the methods through which doctors practice medicine vary widely between countries.