The Census Bureau estimated 25.3 million Americans were uninsured at some point in 2023, affecting access to preventive and emergency care.
Everyone in the country has some form of health coverage, no matter their job or income.
Whether coverage is universal influences how often households face medical debt or skip care due to cost.
Universal coverage can be pursued through expanding existing programs, mandating private insurance, or creating a single public plan.
Laws define who qualifies for coverage, often extending it to all citizens and legal residents automatically.
Funding comes through some combination of payroll taxes, general revenues, individual premiums and employer contributions.
Regulations specify a minimum package of covered services, such as hospital care, prescriptions and preventive visits, that all plans must include.
A look at how single-payer healthcare would work, what it could cost, and the main arguments on each side.
Read the guide →Lawmakers and voters continue to debate whether replacing the current mix of public and private insurance with a government-run plan would improve coverage and costs.
Read the brief →