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Line 1: − − The United States is the only country with an effective universal health care system. [[David Hogberg]] wrote: − :... everyone in the U.S. can get care regardless of income. In 1986 the [[U.S. Congress]] passed the [[Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act]]. This requires [[emergency room]]s to treat any person who shows up seeking medical treatment, regardless of their ability to pay. <ref>[http://www.freemarketcure.com/singlepayermyths.php] </ref> − − Other countries have experimented various types of [[socialized medicine]], such as Canada, with inadequate results (lengthy waiting times). Cuba, often touted by fans of Communism (or socialism in general), has woefully inadequate health care. − − In general, the more government control over health care, the worse it gets. The U.S. produces the most new drugs and techniques because the [[free market]] system provides incentives for innovation and efficiency. − + − + − − − + Line 24:
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added new section to keep introduction concise, neutralified (see talk), minor changes
'''Universal health care''' (UHC) can refer to things in two distinct categories: (1) methods of paying for health care, such as [[health insurance]]; and (2) systems of providing patients with services, prescriptions, and the like. Some politicians blur the distinction.
'''Universal health care''' (UHC) can refer to things in two distinct categories: (1) methods of paying for health care, such as [[health insurance]]; and (2) systems of providing patients with services, prescriptions, and the like. Some politicians blur the distinction.
There are several different ways of paying for health care, including private insurance, government-supplied insurance, [[single payer]] [[health insurance]] or [[health savings accounts]].
There are several different ways of paying for health care, including private insurance, government-supplied insurance, [[single payer]] [[health insurance]] or [[health savings accounts]].
The United States has a mixture of public and private insurance programs. [http://city-journal.org/html/17_3_canadian_healthcare.html]
The [[United States]] has a mixture of public and private insurance programs. [http://city-journal.org/html/17_3_canadian_healthcare.html]
Additionally, some hospitals provide free care to those who cannot pay (i.e., they bill you, and if you don't pay they write off the debt).
Additionally, some hospitals provide free care to those who cannot pay (usually they bill you, and if you don't pay they write off the debt).
==Types of Universal health care==
==Ways to Pay for Universal Health Care==
There are many different types of care which fall under the term universal health care <ref>American Medical Student Association, ''Theoretical Models for Delivering Health Care'' [http://www.amsa.org/uhc/theories.cfm]</ref>. Some of these systems are highlighted here:
There are many different types of care which fall under the term universal health care <ref>American Medical Student Association, ''Theoretical Models for Delivering Health Care'' [http://www.amsa.org/uhc/theories.cfm]</ref>. Some of these systems are highlighted here:
*'''Managed competition''' is a system which allows employers to join health care purchasing cooperatives. These cooperatives negotiate with private insurance providers to provide employees with a number of health options. The premiums are paid for in large part by the employer, and all purchasers pay the same price, regardless of their current health situation.
*'''Managed competition''' is a system which allows employers to join health care purchasing cooperatives. These cooperatives negotiate with private insurance providers to provide employees with a number of health options. The premiums are paid for in large part by the employer, and all purchasers pay the same price, regardless of their current health situation.
==Proponents of universal health care==
==Current Practice and Effectiveness==
The United States is the only country with an effective universal health care system. [[David Hogberg]] wrote:
:"... everyone in the U.S. can get care regardless of income. In 1986 the [[U.S. Congress]] passed the [[Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act]]. This requires [[emergency room]]s to treat any person who shows up seeking medical treatment, regardless of their ability to pay." [http://www.freemarketcure.com/singlepayermyths.php]
Other countries have experimented various types of [[socialized medicine]], such as Canada and Cuba, though most [[conservatives]] say ith inadequate results (lengthy waiting times, for example). Cuba is another country with has woefully inadequate socialized health care.
==Proponents of Universal Health Care==
*The '''American Medical Student Association''' [http://www.amsa.org/uhc/] is a proponent of single-payer health insurance.
*The '''American Medical Student Association''' [http://www.amsa.org/uhc/] is a proponent of single-payer health insurance.
*The '''Universal Health Care Action Network (UHCAN)''' [http://www.uhcan.org/] is an organization which promotes universal health care in general.
*The '''Universal Health Care Action Network (UHCAN)''' [http://www.uhcan.org/] is an organization which promotes universal health care in general.
==Opponents of universal health care==
==Opponents of Universal Health Care==
Conservatives and [[libertarians]] believe that, in general, the more government control over health care, the worse it gets. For example, they argue that the U.S. produces the most new drugs and techniques because the largely unhindered [[free market]] system provides incentives for innovation and efficiency. Some conservatives and most libertarians argue that there could be even fewer restrictions and regulations, thereby improving health care even further.
*The '''[[The Cato Institute|Cato Institute]]''' [http://www.cato.org/healthcare/] is in favor of free market solutions to health care, and advocates health savings accounts in combination with high-deductible private insurance plans.
*The '''[[The Cato Institute|Cato Institute]]''' [http://www.cato.org/healthcare/] is in favor of free market solutions to health care, and advocates health savings accounts in combination with high-deductible private insurance plans.