Proposed Federal program that would use tax funds to finance the provision of comprehensive health benefits for the population. Scope of benefits, provider and beneficiary eligibility, financing, and ownership and control of resources, among other issues, must be defined.
Any system of socialized health insurance benefits covering all or nearly all citizens, established by federal law, administered by the federal government, and supported or subsidized by taxation. Medicare and Medicaid are examples of national health insurance programs.
A national or federal government sponsored and administered health insurance program, not found in the United States, but used in various other countries such as Canada and Great Britain. In this type of program, the health insurance needs of all citizens are covered, with the premiums paid or financed by taxes.
Proposal by politicians to make government the single payer for all health care, similar to Great Britain or Canada. Providers like some aspects of this idea because it provides for "universal coverage" for all citizens. However, businesses and providers (as businesses themselves) dislike the idea of the government administering a program that they will either have to fund or be funded by. Proposals for national health insurance are surely to be debated by politicians for many years to come. See also Universal Coverage.
Any system of socialized insurance benefits covering all or nearly all of the citizens of a country, established by its federal law, administered by its federal government, and supported or subsidized by taxation.