Which healthcare model is characterized by a single-payer system?

The National Health Service (NHS) model is characterized by a single-payer system, meaning that one entity (typically the government) is responsible for financing and providing healthcare services for all residents. This model emphasizes universal health coverage, ensuring that healthcare access is available to everyone, regardless of their financial situation or employment status. Funded primarily through taxation, the NHS model allows for centralized control of healthcare resources, which can lead to more equitable distribution of services and a focus on public health outcomes rather than profit.

In contrast, the private insurance model, managed care model, and employer-sponsored insurance model involve multiple payers and are often reliant on private entities or specific employment situations, which can create gaps in coverage and access. The private insurance model typically requires individuals to purchase insurance plans, while managed care focuses on controlling costs through network restrictions and a focus on preventive care, and the employer-sponsored model ties insurance coverage to employment, which may exclude certain populations from accessing care. These models do not offer the same level of universal access and equity found in the NHS model.