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→Ways to Pay for Universal Health Care: examples of multi-payer countries
*'''Single-payer''' health care is a system in which one entity pays for the health care of the entire population (see [[single-payer system]]). This entity is traditionally the federal or national government, and the system is paid for through taxes. [[Canada]], [[Cuba]] and [[North Korea]] are the only three countries using this system. In Canada, it is illegal for a doctor to "bill" a patient, but one doctor found many people suffering while waiting months or years for treatment. He sued the goverment, appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, and won (see Dr. [[Jacques Chaoulli]]).
*'''Single-payer''' health care is a system in which one entity pays for the health care of the entire population (see [[single-payer system]]). This entity is traditionally the federal or national government, and the system is paid for through taxes. [[Canada]], [[Cuba]] and [[North Korea]] are the only three countries using this system. In Canada, it is illegal for a doctor to "bill" a patient, but one doctor found many people suffering while waiting months or years for treatment. He sued the goverment, appealed all the way to the Supreme Court, and won (see Dr. [[Jacques Chaoulli]]).
*'''Multi-payer''' health care is similar to the single-payer system, except that individuals may also choose to purchase private insurance. The [[United Kingdom]] is an example of this, with a [[National Health Service]] system available to all residents, which is paid for through a [[National Insurance]] scheme plus general taxation. People are, however, free to purchase private insurance and be treated privately if they so wish.
*'''Multi-payer''' health care is similar to the single-payer system, except that individuals may also choose to purchase private insurance. The [[United Kingdom]] is an example of this, with a [[National Health Service]] system available to all residents, which is paid for through a [[National Insurance]] scheme plus general taxation. People are, however, free to purchase private insurance and be treated privately if they so wish. France, Germany, Japan, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands also use the multi-payer system.<ref>Hill, Stephen, ''Contra Costa Times'', [http://www.citizenshealthcare.gov/news/prclips/contra-costa-times_150513.pdf "Single payer not only way for universal health care]</ref>
*'''Tax Credits''' can be used to provide uninsured individuals with a discount in their taxes to use towards paying for health care.
*'''Tax Credits''' can be used to provide uninsured individuals with a discount in their taxes to use towards paying for health care.
*'''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.