What Is Public Health Insurance?

By Cathy Wilson Posted in Health Insurance News



Public Health Insurance

Public health insurance uses money collected with taxes on a variety of things and uses that money to set up a single-payer health insurance system where everyone receives coverage. Instead of paying a doctor’s office a co-payment or deductible, you get healthcare wherever you choose and the government pays the doctors.

Countries Using Public Health Insurance

Most countries offer a public health insurance program. The United States is the only industrialized country that hasn’t bothered. President Obama is working to change that. Countries that do offer public health insurance include:

· Australia
· Brazil
· Canada
· China and Asia
· Europe
· Great Britain
· Israel
· Latin America
· New Zealand
· Peru

In these countries, people receive free health care. They simply make an appointment and see the doctor of their choosing.

How Public Health Care Works

With public health care, a universal health care system, a combination of taxes, private contributions and levies help fund the insurance system. Those using public health care go to any doctor they choose for their general checkups, prenatal care, medical tests and procedures. It can take a little longer to get an appointment, generally because more people start going to the doctor because it no longer costs them large amounts of money.

Those on public health insurance may still carry private insurance if they choose, but there is no law requiring them to. Those who do, often do so to prevent having to wait for appointments.

Quality Of Life In Countries With Public Health Insurance

Countries offering public health insurance often have better life expectancies than the United States. In the U.S., the life expectancies for men and women average 77.8 years. In Canada, that number increases to 80.4. Australia’s is 81.1. England’s is 79.1. Japan’s is the greatest at 82.4.

Infant mortality rates in the United States are much higher than in other countries. Japan and Sweden tie for the lowest with 2.8. The United States is high with 6.9. Obviously, a system where universal healthcare is offered is superior. Low-income women still receive quality health care during their pregnancy, unlike in the United States where many low-income women avoid prenatal visits.

Opening the doors to public health insurance in the United States makes sense. More people would willingly visit the doctor. Worries about how to pay the medical bill would end.

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  3. What Is Health Insurance?
  4. Why Won’t State-Run Health Insurance Versus Fed’s Work?
  5. What Does Public Option Health Insurance Coverage Mean?






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