The 5 types of health care models

Universal coverage models (where everyone is automatically covered at birth):

Single payer, single provider: Health care is provided and financed by the government through taxes (e.g., Veteran Affairs).
Single payer, multiple providers: Health care is provided by private doctors in private facilities (e.g., Medicare/Medicaid).
Multiple payers, multiple providers: Employers and employees fund national health insurance through payroll taxes. Health insurance companies are private, but nonprofit and government regulated (e.g., Affordable Care Act).

Non-universal coverage models (where everyone has to acquire insurance):

Multiple payers (private insurance), multiple providers: A variety of payers, including state and federal level, plus commercial health insurance providers, reimburse health care providers on a fee-for-service basis (e.g., most commercial U.S. health plans).
Out-of-pocket: Patients pay out-of-pocket for health care services (e.g.,self-insured or non-insured).

What is being debated

Here are highlights on different perspectives and suggestions to adopt or improve upon the country's health care system.