Socialized medicine in its strictest sense, is a single-payer government-run and -delivered system. In a socialized medicine model,
the government provides all services from your healthcare providers and providers to the hospitals and other facilities, and all payments for those services
.
Within the U.S., the Veterans Health Administration is an example of socialized medicine, although it only covers a small fraction of Americans.
Universal coverage or universal health care simply refers to a system in which everyone has access to health coverage and/or affordable medical care
.
Pros: A single-payer system offers individuals greater control over their healthcare, providing the ability to choose their doctors based on approach or reputation. Cons: A single-payer system can be more costly, as it allows doctors and health care facilities to negotiate the terms of their contracts.
Is universal healthcare the same as single-payer?
A single payer pays directly to healthcare providers. Healthcare providers could be paid by one or more entities. Like single-payer health insurance,
universal healthcare means that all people in a country have access to healthcare
. But the term “universal healthcare” doesn’t address how healthcare costs are paid.
In many countries across the world including
Canada, Great Britain, Finland, and Spain
, socialized medicine is the main form of healthcare access for many of its citizens.
At the center of the UK system sits the National Health Service. Founded in 1948,
the NHS goes beyond single-payer health care into truly socialized medicine
: The government doesn’t just pay for services, it also runs hospitals and employs doctors.
The Columbia Encyclopedia defines socialized medicine as “
a system of health care delivery in which care is provided as a state-supported service
.” In a strictly defined socialized system, the government controls all means and methods of delivering, financing, and allocating health care.
Socialized medicine in its strictest sense, is
a single-payer government-run and -delivered system
. In a socialized medicine model, the government provides all services from your healthcare providers and providers to the hospitals and other facilities, and all payments for those services.
But a recent study of patients with kidney failure highlights the possibility that, at least for some people,
socialized medical care is higher quality than private care
. The study looked at military veterans whose kidneys were failing, so much so that they might soon need dialysis.
- Lowers overall health care costs.
- Lowers administrative costs.
- Standardizes service.
- Creates a healthier workforce.
- Prevents future social costs.
- Guides people to make healthier choices.
Countries with socialized medicine
fund all medical facilities and expenses through a public insurance plan
. Most people pay for the same healthcare, which gives the state more negotiating ability when discussing prices with medical companies or drug manufacturers.
It could lead to care rationing
.
This is done because some people abuse the system, seeking care for a condition that doesn’t require a visit to a medical provider to treat. Service restrictions and controlled distribution may make it difficult for people to receive the care that they actually need.
Socialized medicine is a term used in the United States to describe and discuss systems of universal health care—medical and hospital care for all by means of government regulation of health care and subsidies derived from taxation.
What is wrong with single-payer health care?
Over-attention to administrative costs
distracts us from the real problem of wasteful spending due to the overuse of health care services. A single-payer system will subject physicians to unwanted and unnecessary oversight by government in health care decisions.
Canada is the only country with a universal healthcare system that does not include prescription drugs
. This means that Canadians still pay for approximately 30% of their healthcare directly or via private insurance with only 70% of health costs paid for publicly.
No. Universal healthcare is not socialism
. For decades developed capitalist countries around the world have had universal health care. These countries consider universal health care necessary for a healthy economy and population.
Well, it turns out that
insurance of any kind is the purest form of socialism
. Society pools its resources together to protect against any individual’s sudden loss or misfortune. Bank insurance, auto insurance, home insurance — all pure socialism, some mandated and some not, but we couldn’t survive without them.
