National Health Insurance

Definition of "National health insurance"

Government health care program in several European countries that has been proposed in various forms for the U.S., to be administered by the federal government. Plan A would cover all U.S. residents. Comprehensive benefits, financed by a combination of payroll taxes and general revenues, would include physician services, inpatient and outpatient hospital care, home health services, and supporting services such as optometry, podiatry, devices and appliances, and dental care. Plan B would expand MEDICARE to cover the general population. Plan C would pay premiums for the needy and allow income tax credits for others to purchase private health insurance. The entire U.S. population would be covered. Individuals with no federal income tax liability would receive full payment of health insurance premiums.