Socialized medicine
Socialized Medicine
Socialized medicine (pronunciation: /ˈsoʊʃəˌlaɪzd ˈmɛdɪsɪn/) is a term used to describe a system of healthcare that is publicly funded and administered by the government. The term originated in the early 20th century and is often used in discussions about healthcare reform.
Etymology
The term "socialized medicine" was first used in the United States in the early 20th century to describe a proposed system of publicly funded healthcare. The term is derived from the word "socialize," which means to make something the collective responsibility of a society or group, and "medicine," which refers to the science and practice of diagnosing, treating, and preventing disease.
Definition
In a system of socialized medicine, the government typically owns and operates healthcare facilities, and healthcare professionals are government employees. The government also pays for all healthcare services, often through taxes collected from the public. This is different from a single-payer system, where healthcare providers may be private entities but the government pays for all healthcare services.
Related Terms
- Public Health: The science and practice of protecting and improving the health of people and their communities.
- Universal Healthcare: A system that provides health care and financial protection to all residents of a particular country or region.
- Single-Payer System: A type of healthcare system where the government, rather than private insurers, pays for all healthcare costs.
- Healthcare Reform: The debate and implementation of changes to health policy that affect healthcare delivery in a given place.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Socialized medicine
- Wikipedia's article - Socialized medicine
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