National Health Insurance

Introduction to National Health Insurance

National Health Insurance, government-operated system of insurance that provides financial benefits and medical services to persons disabled by sickness or accident. National health insurance systems are found in many countries, particularly in Europe. In the United States, health insurance has traditionally been provided by private enterprise on a voluntary basis. National health insurance bills were introduced in the Congress of the United States in the 1930s and 1940s but were not enacted. The Social Security Amendments of 1965, however, created a governmental health insurance program known as Medicare, which is intended primarily for the aged. In 1993 President Bill Clinton introduced a plan for universal health care coverage. However, a compromise could not be reached with opponents in Congress and the bill died. See Health Insurance; Medicare and Medicaid.

Systems of national health insurance frequently are coordinated with other national programs of social insurance, such as pension programs, programs of unemployment insurance, and workers’ compensation.” (1)

Resources

Notes and References

• Information about National Health Insurance in the Encarta Online Encyclopedia

Guide to National Health Insurance