Prospects for national health care in the United States

This paper provides an overview of both the current health care crisis in the United States and various reform proposals (some based on Canadian and British models) being considered at the federal and state levels. The proposals discussed fall into three categories--multiple payer national health insurance programs, one payer national health insurance programs, and a national health service program. The authors review four important criteria (cost, quality, access, and equity) that must be considered in evaluating the proposals for reform. Information is provided to assist health care professionals in understanding the various national health care proposals, applying evaluative criteria to these proposals, and advocating for needed changes.