What is single-payer?
Strictly speaking, “single-payer” refers only to the method of paying providers of health care. Single-payer describes the direct payment to providers from a single public fund rather than by the over 250 insurance companies and public plans we have now in Minnesota. It eliminates the “middleman”– health insurance companies–and thus saves money. Revenues for the single-payer fund come from government, businesses and individuals. Individual contributions to the fund (premiums) are based on ability to pay. Generally there are no co-pays or deductibles in a single-payer system. Single-payer does not affect the delivery of health care. Ownership and management of physician groups, clinics and hospitals is unaffected. Providers in a single-payer system will continue to work in the same public and private clinics that they do now. A “single-payer” system is usually partnered with a “single plan.” That is, instead of the multitude of plans currently available, each with different benefit se
Related Questions
- What happens if an individual mandate, an employer mandate, or single-payer health care is passed at the federal level—and if Missouri also passes the Health Care Freedom Act?
- The public option was itself a compromise, a moderation of the single-payer model -- is that right?
- Can we afford single-payer, if that means covering 47 million uninsured people?
