Among industrialized countries, with the exception of the US, health care systems fall into two broad categories, according to the financing structure used to support them. The first is a social insurance model called the Bismarck model. This model is associated with Germany and used in most German-speaking countries, as well as in France and the Netherlands. The second is a tax-based system known as the Beveridge model, named after the creator of the National Health Service in Britain, Lord Beveridge. The U.S. uses a private insurance model characterized by employment-based or individual purchase of private health coverage.

The U.S. health care system is a mixture of public and private programs and plans that provide health insurance coverage and services to groups of people. The U.S. health care system has been seen as one of the best in the world due to having the most advanced medical care in the world. The problem is only 45% of the population has insurance

Sickness funds are divided into two categories: primary funds and substitute funds. Workers earning less than the periodically revised income ceiling are required to belong to the primary funds; those earning more than this ceiling may be members on a voluntary basis. Some primary-fund members have a choice of funds. Others do not and become members of a particular fund because of their occupation or place of residence. There are three other kinds of primary funds; they supply insurance for self-employed farmers, sailors, and miners and cover about 4 percent of the workforce. There are also two kinds of substitute funds; they provide health insurance to white-collar and blue-collar workers earning more than the income ceiling. Substitute funds are organized on a national basis, and membership is voluntary. Such funds cover about 34 percent of insured workers.

The British health care system is the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS was once considered to be one of the best health systems in the world. The NHS is based on principles unlike anything before in the world, and few other countries followed them. Health care service was financed almost 100% from central taxation. This meant the rich paid more than the poor for comparable benefits. Everyone was eligible for care, even people temporarily residing or just visiting the country. Care was entirely free at the point of use, although prescription changes and dental charges have been subsequently introduced. The problem with the system is long waiting list, shortages in technology, decaying facilities and not enough taxes being collected to support the system.

There are two major public programs. The first is Medicare, which is a program for the elderly and the disabled. Medicare is the single largest payer of health care services in the U.S.. It is divided into two parts. The first is Part A that deals with inpatient hospital care and is funded through a payroll tax. The second is Part B, which provides partial payment

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