What is Single-Payer Health Care? A Review of Definitions and Proposals in the U.S.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Single-payer systems have been proposed as a health care reform alternative in the United States. However, there is no consensus on the definition of single-payer. Most definitions characterize single-payer as one entity that collects funds and pays for health care on behalf on an entire population. Increased flexibility for state health care reform may provide opportunities for state-based single-payer systems to be considered.

Objective

To explore the concept of single-payer and to describe the contents of single-payer health care proposals.

Design

We compared single-payer definitions and proposals. We coded the proposal text for provisions that would change how the health care system functions and could impact health care access, quality, and cost.

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SUBMITTER: Liu JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5481251 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature