Universal health care

Universal health care (also known as universal health coverage, universal coverage, or universal care) is a health care system in which all residents of a particular country or region are assured access to health care. It is generally organized around providing either all residents or only those who cannot afford on their own, with either health services or the means to acquire them.

Pronunciation

/ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsəl ˈhɛlθ keər/

Etymology

The term "universal health care" is derived from the concept of "universal coverage", which was first used in the late 19th century to describe a system where all citizens have access to health services.

Related Terms

Overview

Universal health care is a broad concept that has been implemented in several ways. The common denominator for all such programs is some form of government action aimed at extending access to health care as widely as possible and setting minimum standards. Most implement universal health care through legislation, regulation and taxation. Legislation and regulation direct what care must be provided, to whom, and on what basis. Usually, some costs are borne by the patient at the time of consumption, but the bulk of costs come from a combination of compulsory insurance and tax revenues. Some programs are paid for entirely out of tax revenues. In others, tax revenues are used either to fund insurance for the very poor or for those needing long term chronic care.

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Universal health care